NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus recently shared a video on social media showing him swimming with and holding a shark that was caught on a fishing line.
The video shows Mr Rosenhaus fearlessly swimming alongside the majestic predator, even holding it briefly.
The footage, which quickly went viral, garnered a range of responses from amazed applause to sharp criticism.
While some followers praised the sports agent's daring act, others were quick to condemn his actions.
Mr Rosenhaus took to his social media accounts on Tuesday afternoon to share the jaw-dropping encounter accompanied by the caption, "Went fishing with @cheetah today and decided to get up close to this Dusky Shark".
The video was reposted by a prominent NFL news account, ML Football, leading to a flood of comments expressing concerns about the shark's well-being.
Critics argued that the shark appeared relatively limp while tangled in the fishing line, prompting comparisons to male recklessness.
"I swear this is why women live longer than men," quipped one Twitter user in response to the aggregated post.
Among those opposing Mr Rosenhaus' behaviour, one person wrote, "Leave the shark alone. He was just minding his own business."
The act was described by some as nothing short of animal abuse, highlighting the need for greater respect and conservation of marine life.
Despite the backlash, there were supporters who viewed the video as a lighthearted moment and defended Mr Rosenhaus.
A user pointed out that the shark seemed relatively calm, challenging the notion that Mr Rosenhaus was engaging in a dangerous struggle with the creature.
Meanwhile, a friend of the agent, Miami Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill, who was on the vessel, was invited to join him in the water but responded emphatically, "Hell naw" (sic).
The incident comes just a few days after a video emerged showing a shark being devoured by a bigger predator.
Fishing captain John Brossard was on a fishing trip from the city of Goodland when an Atlantic goliath grouper devoured a blacknose shark in one gulp, causing the fishing crew's line to break.
He said: “Basically we were shark fishing when all of a sudden two or three goliath groupers started hanging out under the boat waiting for our catch to come in.
“We were just thinking ‘wow, unbelievable! Something is going to eat a shark and it’s bigger than a shark.’
“We were very surprised. Basically it ate the shark, and took down and broke the line. We were using a 50-pound test line and that was not enough.”
