Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll is making headlines for his unconventional approach to minicamp after a video showing a player encased in a giant inflatable bubble, resembling a human hamster ball, went viral on Thursday.
The viral clip, shared on social media, captured a lighthearted moment during Raiders practice as a player attempted to run across the field while encased in a massive, transparent plastic sphere. Teammates watched and laughed as the player struggled to gain traction, showing a playful atmosphere under Carroll’s leadership.
Pete Carroll might be one of the most veteran NFL coaches, but that isn’t stopping him from being unconventional
Carroll, who joined the Raiders this offseason after a long and successful tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, is known for injecting energy and fun into his practices. The 73-year-old coach’s latest drill is proof of his philosophy of balancing hard work with enjoyment, even during the more serious tone of mandatory minicamp. While the rest of the team participated in traditional drills, the “human hamster ball” exercise quickly became the focal point, drawing attention from both fans and media.
#Raiders practices under Pete Carroll are getting wild 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/1jjQk6MqBJ
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) June 12, 2025
Carroll arrived in Las Vegas as the Raiders’ new head coach ahead of the 2025 NFL season, following a storied career at both the college and professional levels. The decision to hire Carroll was made by Raiders owner Mark Davis, who sought a proven leader capable of bringing stability and a winning culture to a franchise that has cycled through multiple head coaches in recent years.
Carroll, 73, is one of the most accomplished coaches in football history, having won both a college national championship at USC and a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, an achievement matched by only a select few in the sport.
After 14 seasons with the Seahawks, where he became the franchise’s all-time winningest coach and led the team to 10 playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title, Carroll stepped down following the 2023 season and spent a year in an advisory role before returning to coaching with the Raiders.
The Raiders are currently preparing for their preseason opener against the Seahawks on August 7, a matchup that will see Carroll face his former team. The regular season begins September 7 at New England, with the home opener set for September 15 against the Chargers.
