You’ve seen it. Even if you don’t watch football, you’ve seen it. That rhythmic, heel-tapping glide where the player looks like they’re walking on air while making goggles with their hands. It’s the Justin Jefferson touchdown dance, and honestly, it’s basically become the unofficial logo of the modern NFL.
But here’s the thing: Justin Jefferson didn’t actually invent the Griddy.
He just made it a global phenomenon. It’s weird to think about now, but there was a time before every middle schooler in America was doing this in the cafeteria. The dance has evolved from a locker room hype-up move to a $50 box of cereal and a Fortnite emote. If you want to understand why this specific celebration stuck when others (remember the Dab?) faded into cringe-worthy obscurity, you have to look at the chemistry between a kid from New Orleans and a wide receiver who was told he wasn't "star material" coming out of high school.
The Secret History of the Griddy
The dance wasn't born in a stadium. It started in a weight room.
Allen "Griddy" Davis, a friend of Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase, is the actual creator. Back in 2017 at Landry-Walker High School in New Orleans, Davis was just messing around, trying to create a rhythmic "one-two" footwork dance that felt different from the Nae Nae or the Milly Rock. He posted it on Snapchat. By the next morning, half the school was trying to copy him.
Chase brought it to LSU. Then, he showed it to his teammate, a skinny, high-energy kid named Justin Jefferson.
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Jefferson first unleashed the Justin Jefferson touchdown dance on a national stage during the 2019 season in a massive game against Texas. He caught a pass, hit the end zone, and the rest is history. He didn't just do the dance; he performed it. There’s a specific "swing" to his arms that most people actually get wrong.
How to Do the Justin Jefferson Touchdown Dance Properly
Most people look like they’re having a minor leg cramp when they try to Griddy. If you're going to do it, you might as well do it right. Jefferson has actually done tutorials on this because he’s seen so many bad versions.
- The Heel Taps: It’s not a skip. You’re alternatingly tapping your heels while moving forward.
- The "B's": This is the part everyone forgets or messes up. You form "OK" symbols with your hands and "throw your B's" (Big Billionaire glasses) up to your eyes. It’s meant to look like goggles.
- The Arm Swing: Your arms should swing back and forth in sync with the steps. It’s all about the rhythm. If you’re stiff, you’ve already lost.
Jefferson’s version is different because of the "flavor" he adds. He’s been known to "throw the B's" while he's still mid-stride, which requires a level of coordination that most humans simply don't possess.
Why This Celebration Changed the NFL
Before the Griddy, NFL celebrations were getting a bit... stale. You had the Lambeau Leap. You had the "Dirty Bird." But the Justin Jefferson touchdown dance hit at the exact moment the league decided to loosen up the rules on "excessive celebration."
It’s a perfect storm of social media and sport.
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When Jefferson got drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, he didn't leave the dance in Louisiana. He brought it to the pros. Suddenly, you had 65-year-old commentators trying to explain what "Griddying" was. You had Kirk Cousins—the whitest man in professional sports—attempting to do it in the locker room.
It became a meme. But a good one.
The dance has even gone international. Just recently, in late 2025, Jefferson was talking about bringing an "Ireland edition" of the dance to a game in Dublin. He jokingly called it the "O'Griddy." He’s constantly looking for ways to keep it fresh because, let’s be real, if you do the same thing for five years, people eventually stop recording it on their phones.
The Cultural Impact (and the Drama)
Not everyone loves it. In 2023, a high school principal in Philadelphia actually made headlines for denying a student her diploma because she did the Griddy across the stage. That’s how deep this goes. It’s not just a football thing anymore; it’s a "kids these days" thing.
But for Jefferson, it’s about connection. He’s mentioned in interviews that his mom, Elaine, was the one who really pushed him to have a "signature." She knew that in the NFL, you aren't just an athlete; you’re an entertainer.
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Does it actually make him play better?
Probably not. But it makes the fans more invested. When Jefferson enters "Jets" mode—the persona he adopts when he puts on the chains and the diamond-encrusted grills—the dance is the final piece of the transformation. It’s a psychological tool.
Defenders hate it.
Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander famously did the Griddy right in Jefferson’s face after breaking up a pass in 2023. When people start using your own dance to taunt you, you know you’ve made it. It’s the ultimate sign of respect in a weird, roundabout way.
Step-by-Step Evolution of the Move
- 2017: Allen Davis creates the move in a New Orleans weight room.
- 2019: Jefferson goes viral at LSU vs. Texas.
- 2020: The Griddy hits the NFL and Fortnite.
- 2022: Mac Jones (inexplicably) does it at the Pro Bowl.
- 2024-2025: Jefferson hits 1,000+ yards again and starts teasing international variations.
Wrapping Up the Griddy Era
The Justin Jefferson touchdown dance isn't going anywhere. While other trends die off after a few months, this one has legs—literally. It’s become part of the fabric of the game, sitting right next to the "I'm going to Disney World!" quote.
If you want to master the move yourself, start with the footwork. Don't worry about the hands yet. Get the "one-two" tap down until it feels like you're gliding. Once you have the rhythm, throw the B's. Just don't do it at a graduation ceremony unless you're prepared for the consequences.
The next time you see #18 for the Vikings sprinting toward the pylon, keep your eyes on his feet. The dance is coming, and even in 2026, it still feels as electric as the first time he did it in Austin.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Feet: To tell a "pro" Griddy from an amateur one, look at the heel taps. Amateurs skip; pros tap.
- Follow the Creator: Give Allen "Griddy" Davis his flowers. He's on social media and often shares the "purest" version of the dance.
- Check the Custom Grills: Jefferson often pairs his big touchdown moments with specific jewelry. If the grills are in, the Griddy is almost guaranteed.