Here’s two names you never thought you’d hear in the same sentence, Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Exotic.
In a post to his official Facebook page, the Tiger King documentary star, currently behind bars for an attempted murder-for-hire plot targeting fellow tiger enthusiast Carol Baskin posted a hand-written note to Roethlisberger requesting a signed jersey for his stepson.
The letter reads in full:
Hey Ben Roethlisberger,
Not sure if you have heard of me or not. It's Joe Exotic, the Tiger King. As you know, the United States of America has kidnapped me so Carole Baskin and PeTA could try to pass the Big Cat Safety Act because I'm the only one that could educate Congress about why this law should never pass. Anyway, they got my ass in prison for now and I need a favor from you please sir.
I have this amazing stepson named Johnny Graham and I promised him an autographed jersey by you because he thinks you are the shit and he holds you on a pretty big pedestal. There is one on eBay, but I don't have the $600 to buy it for his birthday. My fans helped get everything else he wanted. I'm just missing your jersey.
Can you help a man out that is fighting for his own freedom? Every kid needs a hero and you are his! If so, just private message and my people will go from there.
With all the respect,
Joe Graham "Joe Exotic"
Exotic, along with Baskin were subjects in the 2020 documentary “Tiger King” which swept the nation during the beginning of the pandemic.
The 59-year-old Exotic is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence.
Roethlisberger retired from the Pittsburgh Steelers this past January after 18 seasons in the NFL.