Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown Apologizes for Touchdown Celebration During Trump’s Visit
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown apologized today for a touchdown celebration performed Sunday that some interpreted as a gesture of support for former President Donald Trump, who was in attendance at the game.
St. Brown performed a dance, popularized by athletes last year and often associated with Trump, after a 9-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter of the Lions’ 44-22 victory over the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. Clips of the celebration quickly went viral on social media, drawing criticism from some fans. “First of all, if I offended anyone, I do apologize. I did not mean to offend anyone. It was just, we’re having fun,” St. Brown said on the “St. Brown Podcast” that he co-hosts with his brother Equanimeous St. Brown. “If any president was at that game and had a dance I would have done it. It had nothing to do with who the president was.”
The former president, the first sitting president since Jimmy Carter in 1978 to attend a regular-season NFL game, responded to the celebration by reposting a video to Truth Social with a caption referring to St. Brown as “Amon-Ra St. Trump.” St. Brown clarified on the podcast, “We were just having fun, doing the dance. Nothing more, nothing less.” The incident highlights the increasing intersection of sports and politics, a trend that has drawn considerable attention in recent years, as explored by Brookings Institute.
The Lions currently hold a strong position in the NFC North, and this incident occurred before President Trump arrived at the stadium. Team officials have not released any further statements regarding the matter, but St. Brown indicated he hopes the clarification will put the issue to rest.
