Trump Dance Trend Sweeps NFL: A Celebration Phenomenon

Trump Dance Trend Sweeps NFL: A Celebration Phenomenon \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The “Trump dance,” inspired by former President Donald Trump’s campaign trail moves, has become a viral sensation in the sports world, particularly in the NFL. Originating with San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa, the dance quickly spread across players celebrating key moments like sacks and touchdowns. This marks a surprising shift in Trump-NFL relations after tensions during his first presidency over anthem protests.

NFL Embraces the Trump Dance: Quick Looks

• Origin: San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa introduced the Trump-inspired dance in Week 10.
• Widespread Trend: NFL stars, college athletes, and even soccer players have adopted the dance.
• Signature Moves: Players mimic Trump’s side-to-side hip sway and rhythmic arm swings.
• Cultural Crossover: Featured in NFL games, college football, soccer matches, and MMA fights.
• No League Penalty: The NFL has no objections to celebratory dances of this nature.

Deep Look

A dance move inspired by former President Donald Trump has taken the sports world by storm, with NFL players leading the charge. The “Trump dance,” featuring slow hip sways and arm movements similar to Trump’s campaign rally antics, debuted in the league with San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa during a Week 10 victory over Tampa Bay. The trend exploded further the following week, with multiple NFL players breaking out the moves to celebrate sacks and touchdowns.

The dance began gaining attention when Bosa, a noted Trump supporter, mimicked the moves after sacking Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. The moment quickly went viral, drawing connections to Trump’s signature rallies where he often danced to “Y.M.C.A.”

Sports World Adopts the Dance

The “Trump dance” had already appeared in college football and international soccer before making its way to the NFL. Players from English club Barnsley celebrated a goal with the dance, and U.S. soccer star Christian Pulisic performed it after scoring against Jamaica in a Concacaf Nations League match.

In the NFL, the trend picked up momentum over the weekend. Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers, Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley, and Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith all incorporated the dance into their celebrations. Bowers, inspired by UFC fighter Jon Jones’ use of the dance after retaining his heavyweight championship at Madison Square Garden, brought it to football the very next day.

Ridley added his spin on the move during Tennessee’s loss to Minnesota, while Smith and Lions teammate Malcolm Rodriguez teamed up for a celebratory performance after a fourth-quarter sack in their dominant win over Jacksonville.

League and Fan Reactions

Despite its political undertones, the NFL has raised no objections to the Trump dance. The league, which has historically penalized unsportsmanlike celebrations, confirmed through spokesman Brian McCarthy that the dance does not violate its rules. Celebratory guidelines in the NFL’s manual primarily focus on prohibiting taunting, excessive delays, or offensive gestures, none of which apply to the Trump-inspired moves.

The NFL’s loosened rules on celebrations have allowed players to embrace creative expressions, including group choreography and now politically inspired dances. This openness has helped the Trump dance gain traction without facing penalties.

Trump and Sports: Evolving Relations

The emergence of the Trump dance in the NFL marks an unexpected cultural shift, considering the tension between Trump and the league during his first term. Trump was a vocal critic of players kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice, a movement led by then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016. The kneeling protests fueled a contentious relationship between Trump and the NFL, with the former president frequently targeting the league in public comments.

Now, Trump’s dance moves are being embraced in a league he once criticized. While Trump has not publicly commented on the NFL’s adoption of his moves, he appeared visibly pleased at Saturday’s UFC event when Jon Jones performed the dance and pointed to him in celebration. Trump, seated ringside, stood to applaud Jones, reinforcing the mutual admiration.

Players Lean In

Nick Bosa’s unabashed support for Trump played a role in popularizing the dance. Bosa was recently fined $11,255 for violating NFL uniform rules after wearing a pro-Trump cap during a postgame interview. The fine did little to deter him, as he remarked that the gesture was worth the price. His dance, which he debuted shortly after the fine, spurred teammates Leonard Floyd, Fred Warner, and Sam Okuayinonu to join in during subsequent games.

Other players, such as Brock Bowers, saw the dance as a way to connect with fans and embrace a growing cultural phenomenon. Bowers, who scored a 23-yard touchdown before hitting the Trump dance, mentioned that seeing Jon Jones perform it at the UFC event inspired him to try it.

A Growing Trend Beyond the NFL

The Trump dance has transcended the football field. College athletes, MMA fighters, and even international soccer stars have joined the trend, making it a widespread cultural moment. Fans on social media have embraced the dance, sharing clips and memes of players performing it during games.

Though it remains unclear why so many athletes have latched onto the trend, the dance’s humorous and easily recognizable nature likely contributes to its popularity.

As the NFL and other leagues increasingly allow creative expressions in sports, the Trump dance might remain a fixture in celebrations. Whether viewed as a nod to politics, a cultural statement, or simply a fun dance, it has left its mark on the 2023 sports season.

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