Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has broken his silence after facing criticism for performing a touchdown celebration mimicking former President Donald Trump's signature dance move.
The Controversial Celebration
During Sunday's NFL game at Northwest Stadium, where the Lions defeated the Washington Commanders 44-22, St. Brown scored in the first quarter and immediately launched into his now-controversial celebration. Alongside teammate Jameson Williams, the receiver performed what many recognised as Trump's characteristic 'twist' dance.
The moment became more pointed when St. Brown appeared to gesture directly toward the luxury box where Trump was watching alongside Commanders owner Josh Harris and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This marked a historic presidential appearance, being the first time a sitting or former president had attended a regular season NFL game since Jimmy Carter in 1978.
St. Brown's Explanation and Qualified Apology
Addressing the controversy on his podcast with his brother and fellow NFL receiver Equanimeous, St. Brown offered what he termed an apology while maintaining his actions weren't politically motivated.
'If I offended anyone, I do apologize,' St. Brown stated. However, he quickly clarified his position: 'If any president was at that game, if they had a dance, I would have done it. It had nothing to do with who the president was.'
The Lions receiver emphasised that the dance was 'nothing more, nothing less' than him and his teammates enjoying themselves during the game. He tallied five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown in the contest, though the game was notably marred by an incident where Commanders star Daron Payne punched him as Detroit ran up the score.
Broader Context and Political Reactions
The touchdown celebration occurred against a revealing political backdrop. According to an ESPN report, Trump has expressed interest in having the Commanders' new stadium named after him.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt didn't deny the notion when questioned, telling the outlet: 'That would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible.'
The report further claimed that Leavitt stated 'It's what the president wants, and it will probably happen' when pressed for additional details. This context adds another layer to St. Brown's celebration, though the player himself maintains his actions were purely about entertainment rather than political endorsement.
The Washington Commanders now slump to a 3-7 record for the year following their comprehensive defeat, while the Lions continue their push toward postseason contention.
