You’ve probably seen the clip. It was Week 2 of the 2024 season, and the New Orleans Saints were busy absolutely dismantling the Dallas Cowboys. Right before halftime, Derek Carr—a guy usually known more for his wholesome "dad vibes" and leadership than his flashy footwork—zipped into the end zone on a short rushing touchdown.
Then it happened.
Instead of a standard ball spike or a high-five with his linemen, Carr broke out a full-blown tribute to the King of Pop. He swiveled his knee, hit the iconic derek carr michael jackson dance, and capped it off with the legendary crotch-grab and hip thrust. The internet immediately lost its collective mind. Fans loved it. The Saints bench loved it.
The NFL’s front office? Not so much.
The $14,000 Price Tag for One Dance
Basically, the league decided that paying homage to MJ’s "Billie Jean" era was a bit too "sexually suggestive" for their taste. Even though no flag was thrown on the field at AT&T Stadium, the league office circled back later that week. They hit Carr with a $14,069 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct.
It's kinda wild when you think about it. The NFL has literally had Michael Jackson headline a Super Bowl halftime show—arguably the most famous one ever—where he did those exact moves for millions of people. But when a quarterback does it for three seconds after a touchdown, it becomes a "policy violation."
Honestly, the fine felt like a classic "No Fun League" moment. Carr wasn't taunting an opponent or causing a delay. He was just feeling the rhythm after putting his team up 35-13.
Why the Michael Jackson Celly?
So, where did this even come from? It turns out the derek carr michael jackson dance wasn't some spur-of-the-moment brain cramp.
Carr later admitted that his brothers—David and Darren—had been chirping at him for years to bust it out. Apparently, Derek is the resident dance machine at family weddings and birthday parties. He told reporters, "They see me all the time... I hit the Michael Jackson, and they were like, 'Bro, you’ve got to do that one time when you score.'"
He even joked about his "dad" reputation, saying, "I was a dancer in my day. Don’t let the four kids fool you."
Breaking Down the "Inappropriate" Move
If you look at the technicals of the celebration, it was actually pretty spot-on.
- The Knee Swivel: He nailed the internal rotation that MJ used to transition between steps.
- The Hand Placement: This is what got him in trouble. One hand in front, one hand behind.
- The Thrust: Just one. Not three. (Key distinction, because as every Key & Peele fan knows, three thrusts is always a penalty).
Despite the fine, the Saints' locker room was buzzing. Alvin Kamara, who had a monster game himself that day, was seen laughing on the sidelines. It was a moment of genuine levity in a league that often feels overly scripted.
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The Hypocrisy of NFL Celebration Rules
The frustration for many fans—and likely Carr himself—is the inconsistency. You’ll see players pretend to shoot guns or perform elaborate "group" celebrations that take forever, and half the time, they go unpunished. But a solo dance that pays tribute to a global icon gets the hammer.
It’s worth noting that Carr isn’t the first player to get dinged for "suggestive" gestures. Remember Marshawn Lynch? He made the crotch-grab his signature move while diving into the end zone and paid plenty of "skittles money" in fines for it. The league has a very specific line regarding what they deem "offensive," and apparently, anything involving that specific area of the anatomy is an automatic "no."
What This Means for NFL Celebrations Moving Forward
Since that fine, we’ve seen a bit more caution from the veteran QB, but the derek carr michael jackson dance remains one of the highlights of his New Orleans tenure. It showed a side of Carr that fans hadn't really seen during his years with the Raiders—a sense of comfort and pure fun.
The Saints offense under Klint Kubiak was clicking at a historic rate during those first few weeks, and that dance was the exclamation point on a team that felt like they couldn't be stopped.
If you're a player looking to celebrate in 2026, the lesson is pretty clear:
- Keep your hands away from your waistline.
- If you're going to do a pop star tribute, maybe stick to the "Moonwalk" or the "Thriller" arm-reach.
- Set aside about $15k just in case you get too caught up in the moment.
How to Watch for Future Cellys
Will we see the return of MJ-Carr? Probably not that specific move. But the "Wedding Dance Derek" is clearly lurking under the surface.
For fans who want to see the original viral moment, it’s still all over TikTok and YouTube, despite the league's disapproval. It’s a reminder that even in a strictly regulated multi-billion dollar business, sometimes the players just want to have a little bit of "Off the Wall" fun.
If you’re watching the Saints this season, keep a close eye on the goal line. Carr might have a few more "Smooth Criminal" moves up his sleeve that won't cost him a down payment on a house.
Next Steps for Fans:
Check the NFL's official "Rule 12, Section 3" if you really want to dive into the legalise of what constitutes a "prolonged" or "excessive" celebration. Or, better yet, just go watch the 1993 Super Bowl XXVII halftime show and see the original version that the NFL actually paid for.