NFL has 'no issue' with 'Trump Dance' celebrations

Field Level Media|published: Tue 19th November, 16:23 2024

Detroit Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) celebrates a sack against Jacksonville Jaguars with linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.

The NFL does not plan to crack down the "Trump Dance" and in fact has "no issue" with its players incorporating the dance into their on-field celebrations.

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa celebrated a sack of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield in Week 10 by performing President-elect Donald Trump's signature dance that has gone viral.

He was joined this past weekend by Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers, Tennessee wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Detroit defenders Za'Darius Smith and Malcolm Rodriguez showing off their renditions following big plays.

"There's no issue with a celebratory dance such as what took place (Sunday) or the previous week with the 49ers on November 10," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Front Office Sports. "It's up to the networks to cover them as they see fit."

NFL rules allow for players to celebrate so long as they're not excessive and don't feature violent or sexually suggestive acts. Players are also not allowed to wear printed hats or clothing that promote their political opinions, and Bosa was fined $11,255 for wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat on the field.

However, the "Trump Dance" is not considered a political statement by the league.

Stars in other sports have also displayed the dance since the election two weeks ago, including UFC champion Jon Jones and U.S. Men's National Team soccer player Christian Pulisic, who celebrated with the dance following a goal against Jamaica on Monday night.

Bowers said he came up with the idea to celebrate a touchdown on Sunday with the "Trump Dance" after seeing Jones do it during the UFC event the previous night.

"I've seen everyone do it," Bowers said, per USA Today. "I watched the UFC fight last night and Jon Jones did it. I like watching UFC, so I saw it and thought it was cool."

On Tuesday, the President-elect posted a message to his Truth Social account reading, "TRUMP DANCE SWEEPS THE NATION," accompanied by a video compilation of NFL players doing their celebrations.

--Field Level Media