An American college student has become an overnight sensation after he was mistaken for a footy club’s new young star.
Jack Higgins, a 20-year-old student from Indiana, received an unusual number of new Twitter followers on Friday – all coincidentally from Australia.
That same day, the AFL Premiership winning Richmond Tigers selected an 18-year-old named Jack Higgins in the draft.
Fans immediately took to social media to greet their new recruit, but their welcomes were misdirected, instead finding their way to the Ball State University sophomore.
‘To the 14 followers I just gained from Australia, I do not play rugby for the Richmond Tigers. I understand you’re excited but I’m 5’7′ and have limited athletic ability. Thank you for the love tho,’ the American student tweeted.
Jack Higgins, a 20-year-old student from Indiana, received an unusual number of new Twitter followers on Friday – all coincidentally from Australia
That same day, the AFL Premiership winning Richmond Tigers selected an 18-year-old named Jack Higgins in the draft
Fans immediately took to social media to greet their new recruit, but their welcomes were misdirected, instead finding their way to the Ball State University sophmore
Higgins said he first realised something was happening when his army of new followers all originated from Melbourne.
‘I made a Tweet the night before about an internship I am getting close to getting and expressed how thankful I was and fans thought I was saying I was thankful to be drafted,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I did a little research and it all came together.’
His social media followers jumped from around 800 on Thursday to nearly 1,200. He was trending in Melbourne, and was even noticed by the club.
‘Classic Higgo,’ the Richmond Tigers official Twitter page said after retweeting one of his posts.
His social media followers jumped from around 800 on Thursday to nearly 1,200. He was trending in Melbourne, and was even noticed by the club
Higgins said he is yet to hear from the club directly, but has loved the messages and jokes from fans
Higgins, who himself is an athlete and used to play American football, said he has started watching clips of Aussie Rules and is keen to find a US club
Higgins said he is yet to hear from the club directly, but has loved the messages and jokes from fans.
‘A lot of support from the fans! They were really into which I thought was awesome. Nothing but positive messages and some making fun for me calling it rugby,’ he said.
‘The Aussies have been loving it and I’ve been getting a ton of love which is always appreciated.’
Higgins, who himself is an athlete and used to play American football, said he has started watching clips of Aussie Rules and is keen to find a US club.
He even called out his namesake and told him to be on his toes.
‘I’m definitely going to try to at least attend a game at some point, people started to raise my awareness to teams located close to me so I’m going to go give it a look and come for the other Jack Higgins starting spot’, the American student told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I would be a little scared if I were him.’