The NFL has made its stance clear regarding the “Trump dance” following the move being used as a celebration in games since the recent presidential election.
A few players have performed the shuffle to celebrate on the field this month. San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa used it to commemorate a sack, while Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers busted the move to celebrate a touchdown.
NICK BOSA WITH A SACK AND THEN IMMEDIATELY DOES THE DONALD TRUMP DANCE CELEBRATION.
MAGA BOSA 😭pic.twitter.com/XWnLIaTvNz
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 10, 2024
The dance has spread to other disciplines as well, with USMNT and AC Milan star Christian Pulisic seen performing it in a soccer game and Jon Jones dropping it in the UFC.
As we know, the NFL is keen on avoiding political narratives. CBS edited Bowers’ celebration when they posted a replay of his celly to social media, and the Raiders cut his press conference short after he was asked a question about it.
What Is The NFL’s Stance On The “Trump Dance?”
According to Front Office Sports, the league has no problem with the dance and will not punish players for it.
“The league has “no issue” with the “Donald Dance” performed as an on-field celebration by Brock Bowers of the Raiders, Calvin Ridley of the Titans, Za’Darius Smith of the Lions, and other players this weekend, league spokesman Brian McCarthy told me Monday night,” the outlet notes in a report.
“The league is also not issuing any directives to TV partners Fox Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports, NBC Sports and Amazon Prime Video on how, or if, they should cover players performing President-elect Donald Trump’s signature shimmy after a touchdown or big play.
“There’s no issue with a celebratory dance such as what took place yesterday or the previous week with the 49ers on November 10,” said McCarthy [no relation]. As for TV coverage, he adds, “it’s up to the networks to cover them as they see fit.”
So, while broadcasters can cut the “Trump dance” from videos, the NFL is fine with it, as the rules allow any celebration that isn’t violent or excessive.
The displaying of personal messages, political or not, will attract a fine, however, as Bosa has found out.
