It seems the NFL has officially embraced a new kind of victory dance—one inspired by none other than President-elect Donald Trump. The so-called “Trump dance,” which mimics Trump’s signature moves from his campaign rallies to the tune of Y.M.C.A., is sweeping across the league faster than the Raiders’ Brock Bowers can score a 23-yard touchdown. And surprisingly, the NFL is playing along, at least for now.
NFL Chief Spokesperson Brian McCarthy confirmed that the league has “no issue” with the celebratory dance moves, telling reporters that the antics seen on the field Sunday and in previous weeks are well within bounds. Translation: as long as it’s entertaining and doesn’t violate the No Fun League’s ever-evolving rules, they’re fine with it.
“There’s no issue with celebratory dances such as what took place Sunday or the previous week with the 49ers on November 10,” McCarthy said in an e-mail.
The NFL, through a spokesperson, has confirmed that it has “no issue” with players who do the dance that mimics the moves of President-elect Donald Trump.
“There’s no issue with celebratory dances such as what took place Sunday or the previous week with the 49ers on November… pic.twitter.com/JUTjJIfLC2
— OutKick (@Outkick) November 19, 2024
The Trump dance first hit the field after San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa pulled it out following a sack shortly after Trump’s election victory over Kamala Harris. Since then, it’s become a trend. Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers brought the dance back in full force during Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. And while viewers caught the performance live, some fans were quick to notice its suspicious omission from CBS’s post-game highlight reel. Did someone at CBS decide the Trump dance didn’t fit the narrative? It wouldn’t be the first time Big Media tried to sidestep anything that might be construed as pro-Trump.
Players across the league are joining the movement, with Lions teammates Za’Darius Smith and Malcolm Rodriguez busting out their moves after a big defensive stop. Even the Titans got in on the action, with Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine working the Trump dance into their pre-touchdown celebrations. If nothing else, it’s bringing some unexpected bipartisan energy to game day.
Of course, the NFL’s embrace of this trend is noteworthy, given its often delicate balancing act with political controversies. Just a few years ago, the league found itself in hot water over its handling of kneeling protests, and many wondered if the NFL would even entertain something as overtly Trump-centric as this dance. But for now, the league appears to be taking a hands-off approach.
The @NFL went from kneeling during the anthem to doing the #TrumpDance. The culture has definitely shifted. pic.twitter.com/NuBrhZ3zzt
— Gregory Jon (@gregoryjon) November 17, 2024
Even NFL legend Brett Favre weighed in, expressing doubt that the league would take punitive action. “I find it hard to believe that the NFL would crack down on this ‘Trump’ dance,” Favre told Fox News. “I would hope that they wouldn’t.”
I can’t believe what I’m seeing in sports.
Some of sport’s biggest stars in the NFL, NCAA, MLS, USMNT, UFC & more are doing a Donald Trump dance to celebrate scoring.
After sports being inundated with liberal propaganda for the past decade, I’d tell you you’re crazy if you… pic.twitter.com/6Fr9w5DNr9
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) November 19, 2024
As for the fans, the reactions are predictably divided along political lines. Trump supporters are eating it up, hailing the dance as yet another cultural win. Critics, meanwhile, are probably grinding their teeth. But let’s face it: love him or hate him, Trump knows how to keep himself in the spotlight—even in the end zone.
