Amon-Ra St. Brown Addresses Criticism Over Viral “Trump Dance” Celebration
Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown apologized to anyone offended by his touchdown celebration mimicking President Trump’s dance, saying it was meant as lighthearted fun and not a political statement.
- Glenn Catubig
- 3 min read
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown found himself in the center of a social media firestorm this week after a touchdown celebration he performed went viral during the team’s win over the Washington Commanders. The move, which resembled former President Donald Trump’s signature rally dance, drew backlash from some fans and commentators online.
St. Brown addressed the reaction on the latest episode of the “St. Brown Podcast,” which he co-hosts with his brother Equanimeous St. Brown. He clarified that the celebration was intended purely for entertainment and was not tied to any political stance.
His remarks came after clips of the moment spread widely, fueled in part by the fact that Trump was in attendance at the game — the first time a sitting U.S. president had attended a regular-season NFL matchup in nearly five decades.
While critics accused St. Brown of making a political statement, the wide receiver said the gesture was spontaneous and would have been the same regardless of who was in the stadium.
1. St. Brown Explains the Celebration
During the podcast, St. Brown emphasized that the celebration was never meant to offend or provoke. He said the idea came from simply having fun on the field and leaning into a recognizable dance that fans would instantly understand. He explained that the celebration had no political intent, insisting he would have mimicked any president’s dance if one had been present. “It had nothing to do with who the president was,” he said. St. Brown’s remarks highlighted the gap between his intention and the strong reactions that surfaced online. While he stood by the playful nature of the moment, he acknowledged that some viewers interpreted it differently. “First of all, if I offended anyone, I do apologize,” he said. “But we were just having fun.”
2. Historic Presidential Attendance Adds Spotlight
The context behind the celebration added to its visibility. Sunday’s game marked the first time since 1978 that a sitting U.S. president attended a regular-season NFL game, with Donald Trump appearing at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. St. Brown’s touchdown came early in the first quarter — before Trump had arrived — when he caught a 9-yard pass and immediately broke into the dance while pointing toward the stands. The move quickly circulated on social platforms, with viewers drawing connections to the president’s presence even though the timing was coincidental. For many fans, the overlap between football, politics, and viral culture amplified the moment. Despite the surrounding attention, St. Brown reiterated that the celebration was simply part of the team’s energy during a commanding 44–22 win.
3. Reaction From Fans — and From Trump Himself
The viral clip prompted mixed reactions from fans, with some criticizing the dance as politically charged and others defending it as harmless fun. St. Brown noted that social media tends to magnify moments beyond their original context. Trump himself acknowledged the celebration, reposting a video on Truth Social that labeled the Lions receiver “Amon-Ra St. Trump,” adding another layer of visibility to the incident. While the added attention kept the moment trending, St. Brown maintained that the celebration was not about aligning with or supporting any political figure. Instead, he framed it as part of the entertainment aspect of the sport. By addressing the controversy directly, St. Brown attempted to shift the focus back to football while affirming that his intent was never to divide or offend.