Mack Hollins pays homage to ‘The Warriors’ movie with bottle-clinking chant during AFC championship arrival

Jake Mozarsky

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Mack Hollins pays homage to ‘The Warriors’ movie with bottle-clinking chant during AFC championship arrival image

Mack Hollins is a man who views cleats as optional equipment until the whistle actually blows. Known for his nomadic spirit and strictly minimalist lifestyle, Hollins has made a ritual of strolling onto the gridiron entirely barefoot, regardless of whether the turf is sweltering in the Florida sun or frozen solid in winter. To Hollins, the barefoot entrance has become a routine before games.

However, Hollins took his flair for the dramatic to a new level during the lead-up to the high-stakes AFC Championship showdown between the Patriots and the Broncos. Channeling a mix of gladiator energy and New England grit, he arrived at the stadium gates barefoot despite the biting chill, ringing bottle and saying "Warriors," a callback to the 1979 film. It was a visual declaration of war that set the tone for the afternoon in what will be a physical matchup.

Here's more on Hollins entrance before the AFC championship game.

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    Mack Hollins AFC championship arrival 

    Hollins took his flair for the dramatic to a cinematic level during the lead-up to the 2026 AFC Championship showdown between the Patriots and the Broncos. Channeling the grit of the 1979 cult classic "The Warriors," Hollins arrived at the stadium in a visual declaration of war that immediately went viral.

    In the freezing cold, barefoot with a rugged road warrior intensity, he looked less like a modern athlete and more like a man ready to fight with the rest of the New England squad.

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    What is 'The Warriors' movie?

    The Warriors is a high-octane 1979 film about a street gang framed for a murder they didn't commit, forcing them to fight their way from the Bronx back to Coney Island. It’s famous for its stylized "urban gladiator" aesthetic, featuring themed gangs and the iconic leather vests worn over bare chests. The movie has become a shorthand for grit and "us-against-the-world" toughness.

    Hollins tapped into this exact energy for his AFC Championship arrival, appearing less like a pampered pro athlete and more like a man who had just survived a cross-city trek to defend his turf.

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    Why was Mack Hollins roasted in the comments?

    Hollins was roasted primarily because critics feel his persona didn't match his on-field production. Detractors labeled the barefoot entrance in freezing temperatures as attention-seeking or "try-hard" behavior for a player who often sits lower on the depth chart.

    Skeptics joked that he has more viral clips of him walking barefoot than he does actual touchdowns, suggesting he should "lock in" on football instead of his brand.

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    Why was Mack Hollins barefoot?

    Hollins goes barefoot for a mix of injury prevention and grounding philosophy, a practice he adopted after trainers in Australia helped him overcome a career-threatening groin injury.

    He believes that traditional cleats are restrictive "coffins" for the feet, whereas walking barefoot allows him to strengthen his "roots," improve his balance, and better dissipate the physical force of NFL hits.

    Beyond the biomechanics, Hollins views himself uses direct contact with the earth to release built-up charge and stay mentally centered.

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    Mack Hollins history of unique arrivals

    This isn't the first time Hollins went viral for one of his arrivals.

    This is the receiver's second straight AFC championship game. Last season, he made quite the entrance as a member of the Buffalo Bills.

    Since signing with New England in the 2025 offseason, Hollins' entrances have become a spectacle for the Patriots faithful.

    Today's entrance is just another page of what's become a common theme for No. 13.

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    Contributing Writer