It started as a trickle. Then, it became a flood. If you’ve watched even ten minutes of NFL football over the last few months, you’ve seen it: the double-fist pump, the rhythmic hip sway, the slightly awkward but undeniably viral trump dance in endzone celebrations. It isn't just one guy. It’s everyone from All-Pro defensive ends to rookie tight ends.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how fast it happened. One week, Nick Bosa is catching heat for a hat. The next, half the league is shimmying like they’re at a rally in Pennsylvania. But what’s actually going on here? Is it a political statement, or just the latest "Griddy" to sweep through locker rooms?
The Spark: Nick Bosa and the Sunday That Changed Everything
Most people point to November 10, 2024, as the moment the dam broke. San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa had already made headlines for crashing a post-game interview wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat—an move that eventually cost him an $11,255 fine from the league. But the fine didn't stop the vibe. During a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bosa sacked Baker Mayfield and immediately broke into the signature move.
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He wasn't alone.
His teammates Leonard Floyd, Sam Okuayinonu, and Fred Warner jumped right in. It was a synchronized version of the shimmy Donald Trump has performed for years to the tune of "YMCA." When asked about it later, Bosa was pretty blunt. "I think you know the answer to that question," he told reporters. He basically said the guys wanted him to do it, and it was just fun.
But Bosa was just the beginning.
Why the Trump Dance in Endzone Celebrations Went Viral
You’ve gotta understand how NFL locker rooms work. They’re basically high-speed incubators for memes. If something happens in a UFC fight on Saturday night, you can bet your house it’ll be in an NFL endzone by Sunday afternoon.
That’s exactly what happened with Brock Bowers. The Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end caught a 23-yard touchdown against the Miami Dolphins and immediately started the dance. Why? Because he saw Jon "Bones" Jones do it at UFC 309 the night before. Jones had even pointed at Trump, who was sitting cageside at Madison Square Garden, while doing it.
Bowers told USA Today, "I've seen everyone do it... I thought it was cool."
The Players Who Joined the Trend
- Brock Bowers (Raiders): The rookie tight end who admitted he just thought it was a "cool" trend after watching UFC.
- Calvin Ridley (Titans): He broke it out with teammate Nick Westbrook-Ikhine after a big play against the Vikings.
- Za'Darius Smith & Malcolm Rodriguez (Lions): These two performed a coordinated version after a sack against the Jaguars.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions): In a more recent 2025 matchup against the Commanders, he famously performed the dance while pointing toward the VIP suites.
It's interesting because the reasons vary. Some players, like Bosa, are clearly showing political alignment. Others, like Christian Pulisic (who did it for the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team), insist it’s "not a political dance" and that they just think it’s funny.
The NFL’s Surprising Reaction
You’d think a league that spent years grappling with the fallout of the "take a knee" protests would be terrified of this. But the NFL has been surprisingly chill. Brian Rolapp, the NFL’s Chief Media and Business Officer, basically confirmed that the league has "no issue" with it.
As long as a celebration isn't "excessive" or "prolonged" or "unsportsmanlike," the refs are told to keep the flags in their pockets. It’s a massive shift from 2017. Back then, the league was at war with itself over social justice protests. Now? They seem to have realized that trying to police a viral dance move is a losing battle.
There's also the "YMCA" factor. The dance is intrinsically tied to the Village People’s hit, which has seen a massive resurgence on the charts because of this. It’s basically become the unofficial soundtrack of the 2024-2025 season.
Is it Political or Just a Meme?
This is where things get messy. If you ask a fan in the 300-level seats, they’ll probably give you a different answer based on who they voted for.
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To some, the trump dance in endzone is a "dog whistle." It’s a way for players to signal their support for the 47th President without having to give a 10-minute speech. Former Bears legend Brian Urlacher suggested that "silent Trump supporters" in the league finally feel like they can breathe.
To others, it’s just a funny movement. It’s "the twist" for the social media age. It’s a herky-jerky, low-effort move that looks hilarious when done by a 300-pound defensive lineman in full pads.
What People Get Wrong
Most people think the NFL is "allowing" this because they've "gone MAGA." That’s a bit of a stretch. The league is a business. They saw the ratings dip during the 2016-2017 protest era. They don't want a repeat. If the players are dancing and the fans are cheering (or even hate-watching), the league wins.
What This Means for the Future of Sports Celebrations
We are in a new era of the "athlete-influencer." Players aren't just football players anymore; they’re content creators. When a player does the trump dance in endzone, they know it’s going to be on TikTok in thirty seconds. They know it’s going to get millions of impressions.
It’s also a sign that the wall between sports and politics has basically crumbled. You can't separate them anymore. Whether it's a "Make America Great Again" hat or a social justice stencil in the endzone, the field is now a billboard for whatever the players are feeling that week.
If you’re a fan who just wants to see a touchdown, you might find it annoying. But if you’re looking at the cultural zeitgeist, it’s a fascinating study in how one man’s rally quirk became the most popular celebration in the biggest sport in America.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Trend
- Watch the Context: If you see the dance, look at the player’s history. Guys like Bosa have a clear stance; guys like Bowers are often just following the viral "cool" factor.
- Monitor the Flags: The NFL’s "no issue" stance is the green light. Expect to see this continue through the playoffs as long as the league stays out of the way.
- Look Beyond the NFL: This has already hit MLB (Tigers players did it in front of Trump) and the English Football League (Barnsley FC). It’s an international phenomenon now.
The reality is that the trump dance in endzone isn't going anywhere as long as it keeps getting clicks. It’s the perfect storm of sports, politics, and meme culture. Whether you love it or think it’s "weird," you’re going to keep seeing it every Sunday.