St. Brown’s Touchdown Celebration Honors President Trump at Lions-Commanders Game
In a remarkable moment during Sunday’s NFL matchup between the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown scored a first-quarter touchdown and celebrated with President Donald Trump’s signature dance move. The celebration came during a game that Trump would later attend as part of the NFL’s “Salute to Service” initiative honoring veterans. St. Brown’s 9-yard touchdown reception marked his eighth score of the season, contributing to Detroit’s commanding 44-22 victory over Washington. The talented receiver finished the game with five catches for 58 yards, but it was his celebration that captured national attention.
When asked about his choice to perform Trump’s dance, St. Brown offered a straightforward explanation: “I heard Trump was going to be at the game. I don’t know how many times the president is going to be at the game, so just decided to, you know, have some fun and do his dance.” The spontaneous celebration highlighted the rarity of a president attending an NFL regular-season game. In fact, before Trump, the last sitting president to attend a regular-season NFL game was Jimmy Carter in 1978, making Sunday’s presidential appearance a truly historic occasion. While Trump has frequently attended sporting events during and after his first term—including UFC fights, the Daytona 500, U.S. Open tennis, and the Ryder Cup—his presence at NFL games remains noteworthy.
President Trump’s appearance at the Commanders game was particularly significant as it tied into the NFL’s veterans’ recognition events. The president participated in the league’s “Salute to Service” festivities, reading the names of military enlistees during the game. Despite St. Brown’s first-quarter celebration anticipating Trump’s arrival, the president didn’t actually appear at the stadium until the second quarter. Commanders club president Mark Clouse had previously expressed the organization’s honor in welcoming Trump, stating, “We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country. The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-wide Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families this Sunday.”
The moment created an interesting intersection of sports, politics, and patriotism—three realms that have increasingly overlapped in recent years. While some athletes might hesitate to make political gestures during games, St. Brown’s celebration seemed to come from a place of genuine appreciation for the rarity of having a president at an NFL game, rather than making an explicit political statement. His matter-of-fact explanation afterward suggested a player simply seizing a unique opportunity to acknowledge an unusual circumstance, rather than trying to make headlines or divide fans. The celebration itself—Trump’s characteristic dance move that has become recognizable across American culture—transcended partisan politics in the moment to become simply a nod to a notable game attendee.
For the Detroit Lions, the game represented much more than a presidential visit or a memorable touchdown celebration. Their convincing 44-22 victory continued what has been a stellar season for the franchise, with St. Brown establishing himself as one of the league’s premier receivers. The Lions have transformed into legitimate contenders, and St. Brown’s consistent performance has been a significant factor in their success. His eighth touchdown of the season further cemented his status as one of quarterback Jared Goff’s most reliable targets, demonstrating the chemistry that has developed between the two players. Beyond the celebration, St. Brown’s performance showcased the skill set that has made him so valuable to Detroit’s offense.
The convergence of sports and presidential appearances has a long history in American culture, but moments like Sunday’s game highlight how much rarer these crossovers have become in modern times. While presidents once regularly attended major sporting events, security concerns and increasingly polarized political environments have made such appearances less common. Trump has bucked this trend somewhat, frequently appearing at various sporting events both during and after his first presidency. As his second term approaches, Sunday’s appearance at the Commanders game—combined with St. Brown’s celebratory nod—provided a glimpse of how sports may continue to serve as a cultural meeting ground where politics, patriotism, and athletic achievement intersect in unexpected and memorable ways.
