Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Joe Royer has yet to make his NFL debut, but he recently found himself at the center of unexpected online attention for reasons unrelated to football. Royer, who played at both Ohio State and Cincinnati during his college career, was recently featured in social media photos posted by former Bearcats tight ends coach Josh Stepp. The post celebrated the high school graduation of Stepp’s daughter, Rilee, and included several family photos from the occasion.
Among the people pictured alongside the Stepp family was Royer, which quickly caught the attention of college football fans on social media. While the photos themselves revealed nothing beyond Royer’s presence at the graduation celebration, online users began attempting to piece together connections between the Browns rookie and the Stepp family. Much of the discussion centered on social media activity that fans noticed from previous months.
As reported by BroBible, some users pointed out that Rilee Stepp had previously shared photos from Cincinnati football games and had posted content related to Royer’s time with the Bearcats. Others noted interactions involving reposted content on social media platforms.
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Fans Are Criticizing Royer
However, none of those observations provide confirmation of any specific relationship, and neither Royer nor the Stepp family has publicly addressed the speculation. As online conversations gained traction, Rilee Stepp’s social media accounts were reportedly switched to private settings. Beyond that, there has been no public comment from any of the individuals involved.
For Royer, the attention arrives during an important transition in his football career. A former four-star recruit, he spent three seasons at Ohio State before transferring to Cincinnati, where he concluded his collegiate career under Stepp’s coaching staff. Throughout his time at both programs, Royer developed a reputation as a reliable tight end and eventually earned an opportunity to continue his career at the professional level.
Now with the Browns, who have a new head coach, his focus is likely centered on earning playing time and establishing himself in the NFL. Cleveland’s tight end room could provide opportunities for young players to contribute, particularly as the team evaluates its depth entering the season.
Despite the recent online chatter, there are no confirmed reports regarding Royer’s personal life beyond what has been publicly shared on social media. The discussion has largely been driven by fan observations and speculation rather than verified information.
Published: Jun 2, 2026 01:40 pm