The stadium goes quiet for a split second before the roar hits. You've seen it a hundred times, but it never really gets old. Justin Jefferson catches a 20-yard dart, secures the ball, and then it starts. The rhythmic skip, the heel-toe shuffle, the "O" shaped glasses formed by his fingers over his eyes. Justin Jefferson doing the Gritty isn't just a touchdown celebration anymore; it's a cultural landmark.
Honestly, it’s hard to remember what NFL end zones looked like before this.
While most players have a "signature" move that fades after a season or two, Jefferson turned a dance from New Orleans into a global pandemic of vibes. Whether you're watching a pee-wee game in suburban Ohio or a Premier League striker celebrating a goal in London, the Gritty is everywhere. But there’s a specific magic when JJettas does it. It’s the original. It’s the gold standard.
Where the Gritty Actually Came From (No, Jefferson Didn't Invent It)
A lot of casual fans think Jefferson cooked this up in a lab. He didn't. The dance actually belongs to Allen "Griddy" Davis, a friend of former LSU star and current Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Davis was a high school football player in New Orleans who wanted a unique way to flex after scoring.
He created the rhythmic skip and the "throwing your Bs" finger motion.
When Ja’Marr Chase started doing it at LSU, it was a local Louisiana thing. Then he showed it to his teammate, a young, skinny wideout named Justin Jefferson. The two of them turned the 2019 LSU Tigers season into a season-long dance recital. By the time Jefferson reached the NFL in 2020, he didn't just bring his route-running skills; he brought the culture of the 504 with him.
The dance officially went "nuclear" during Week 3 of the 2020 season. Jefferson scorched the Tennessee Titans for his first career touchdown—a 71-yard bomb. As he glided into the end zone, he broke out the move. No fans were in the stands because of the pandemic, but the internet didn't care. The clip of Justin Jefferson doing the Gritty for the first time in the pros racked up millions of views within hours.
The Mechanics: Why Most People Do It Wrong
If you’ve ever tried to do the Gritty at a wedding and felt like a glitching video game character, you aren't alone. It looks easy. It isn't.
Jefferson’s version is fluid. Most people forget the "swing." You have to lead with the heels, keeping the upper body slightly leaned back but relaxed. If you're too stiff, you look like you’re trying to walk through a swamp. Jefferson’s secret is in the "locks"—the way he snaps his hands up to his eyes to form those glasses (often called the "Crocks" or "Snapping the B's").
The Key Components:
- The Heel-Toe Shuffle: You aren't just stepping; you’re sliding.
- The Arm Swing: It’s a rhythmic, alternating pump that matches the feet.
- The Vision: Looking through the fingers while maintaining the skip.
More Than Just a Dance: The Business of Being JJettas
By 2022, the Gritty was in Fortnite. It was in Madden. It was being done by Mac Jones (which was... an attempt) and Mike Gesicki. But for Jefferson, this became a massive part of his personal brand. It helped him land a historic 4-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league at the time.
Brand deals followed. He even had his own cereal, "Griddy Toast Crunch," which sold out in less than two hours. It’s rare for a celebration to have that kind of staying power. Usually, the NFL "No Fun League" finds a way to kill the joy, but they actually embraced this one. They realized that when people search for "Justin Jefferson doing the Gritty," they aren't just looking for football; they’re looking for entertainment.
That One Time He Got Flagged (The 2024 Taunting Incident)
Everything was fun and games until December 22, 2024. The Vikings were playing the Seahawks, and Jefferson did what he does best: he beat Devon Witherspoon for a 14-yard score.
He hit the Gritty. But this time, he did it while looking directly at Witherspoon.
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The refs tossed the laundry. A 15-yard taunting penalty. It was the first time in his career he’d been flagged for the move. Coach Kevin O'Connell looked baffled on the sideline. Fans were livid. The consensus? The NFL was trying to regulate "swagger." Usually, Jefferson does the dance toward the cameras or his own sideline. By directing it at an opponent, he crossed the invisible line of "sportsmanship."
Did he stop? Of course not. He just got smarter about where he pointed his toes.
Why We Are Still Talking About This in 2026
We are now deep into the 2025-2026 cycle, and Jefferson is still breaking records. He recently became the first player in NFL history to cross 7,000 receiving yards in his first five seasons. He’s already chasing the all-time greats. But despite the stats—the 1,000-yard seasons and the All-Pro nods—the "Gritty" remains his visual calling card.
It’s about the joy of the game. In an era of business-first football and rigid "process," seeing a guy genuinely have fun after a score is refreshing. It’s a connection to his New Orleans roots and his LSU brotherhood.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Athletes:
- Study the Origin: If you’re going to do the dance, know that it belongs to Allen Davis. Respect the creator.
- Practice the Rhythm: Don't rush the feet. The Gritty is about the "bounce," not the speed.
- Know the Rules: If you’re playing organized ball, keep the celebration away from the opponent's face unless you want to cost your team 15 yards.
- Follow the Evolution: Watch how Jefferson has slightly tweaked the move over the years, often adding "the spike" or different hand gestures to keep it fresh.
The Gritty isn't going anywhere. As long as #18 is catching passes in Minnesota, we're going to see that signature skip. It’s the heartbeat of the modern NFL celebration.