On Monday, a chicken halted play during a Premier League game between Blackburn and Wigan and quickly became an Internet sensation.
Affectionately known as the “Blackburn Chicken,” the cape-clad bird was released onto the field at Blackburn’s Edwood Park. The bird may have been released to protest the regime of Blackburn’s owners — Indian poultry company Venky’s.
The chicken amused security guards, fans, commentators and players before running into the Wigan goal and getting caught in the net. Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi and Blackburn striker Yakubu apprehended the chicken, but his message had already spread.
Internet jokes and (unverified) Twitter handles claiming to represent the bird sprung to life within minutes.
But the good-natured prank could not save the Blackburn Rovers, who lost the game 1-0. The result condemns Blackburn to relegation, and it will spend at least next season playing in England’s Championship (second division).
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