Copyright Newsweek
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown’s touchdown celebration, mimicking President Donald Trump’s signature dance, has gone viral on social media. Newsweek reached out to Trump's representative via email for comment on Monday. Why It Matters St. Brown’s gesture sparked widespread attention online and at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, where Sunday's Lions against the Washington Commanders game took place. The moment highlighted the intersection of sports and politics during an NFL match attended by Trump himself as part of the league’s "Salute to Service" initiative honoring United States military veterans. During the game, the 79-year-old president was booed by the crowd. What To Know On November 9, Trump attended the regular-season showdown, marking the first appearance by a sitting president at such a game since 1978, when President Jimmy Carter was in office. As Trump watched from a stadium box, St. Brown scored a touchdown in the first quarter and celebrated by pointing toward the president's location before performing the so-called "Trump dance"—a move characterized by rocking the arms and legs back and forth, popularized by the president at campaign rallies. The gesture was joined by several Lions teammates, including Jameson Williams, and quickly gained traction on social media platforms, including a widely shared video by Outkick founder Clay Travis that garnered over 3 million views on X as of publication. The game took place during the NFL’s "Salute to Service" initiative, honoring veterans ahead of Veterans Day, and coincided with Trump’s reported planned appearance on the Fox broadcast. Trump’s visit was also notable for political and business discussions related to efforts to secure approval for a new Commanders stadium. What People Are Saying President Donald Trump said, according to Fox News: "I just want to say, was that the greatest flyover ever? Nobody's ever done a flyover like that," he said, in reference to the pregame military honors. Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske reacted to Trump's attendance before the game, per the Detroit Free Press: "That’ll be cool. I did not know he was going to be there, but that’ll be super-cool to have the president. That’ll be something I’ll be able to tell my kids, I played in front of the president. That’ll be sweet." Commanders club president Mark Clouse welcomed Trump in an official statement, Fox News reported: "We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country. The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s leaguewide 'Salute to Service' initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members and their families this Sunday." What Happens Next The Lions next take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, November 16, at Lincoln Financial Field in Pennsylvania.
