The NFL has “no issue” with its players incorporating the “Trump 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 over the weekend by Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Tennessee Titans wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Detroit Lions defenders Za’Darius Smith and Malcolm Rodriguez showing off their renditions after big plays.
“There’s no issue with a celebratory dance such as what took place [Sunday] or the previous week with the 49ers on Nov. 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 as long as the celebrations are not excessive and don’t feature violent or sexually suggestive acts. Players are also not allowed to wear printed hats or clothing that promote political opinions, and Bosa was fined $11,255 for wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat on the field after a game.
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 after a goal against Jamaica on Monday night.
Jones celebrated his victory over Stipe Miocic on Saturday night with the dance and then pointed to Trump seated ringside at Madison Square Garden and gave him a thumbs-up.
Bowers said he came up with the idea to celebrate a touchdown Sunday with the dance after seeing Jones do it during the UFC event the previous night.
“I’ve seen everyone do it,” Bowers told USA Today Sports. “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, Trump 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 and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
