The Las Vegas Raiders have found themselves in hot water following a controversial response to Brock Bowers’ touchdown celebration and subsequent media interaction.
Bowers, the rookie wide receiver, had an impressive showing despite the team’s 34-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, racking up 13 catches for 126 yards and scoring a touchdown. However, it wasn’t just his performance that caught attention—it was his post-touchdown celebration.
After his late third-quarter touchdown, Bowers performed a celebratory dance inspired by former President Donald Trump’s signature move. The celebration quickly sparked chatter, with viewers debating the meaning and intent behind the move. Bowers, when asked by reporters after the game, explained that he was simply joining in on a recent trend.
According to Safid Deen of USA Today, Bowers referenced a UFC fight he had watched the night before.
“I’ve seen everyone do it,” Bowers said, via Deen. “I watched the UFC fight last night and Jon Jones did it. I like watching UFC, so I saw it and thought it was cool.” Bowers was referring to UFC 309, where Jon Jones broke out the same dance after defeating Stipe Miocic on Saturday night. The dance—often linked to Trump’s rallies—has become a viral trend across sports and social media.
The situation took an unexpected turn, however, when the Raiders’ public relations team appeared to take swift and deliberate action to control the narrative.
According to Deen, the interview with Bowers was abruptly shut down after he addressed the celebration question.
Reporters were left without any further opportunity to press Bowers on his statement or explore his motivations. Furthermore, a transcript of the postgame interviews shared by the Dolphins notably omitted the question and Bowers’ response entirely.
RELATED: How Aaron Rodgers’ Return to the Jets Next Year Might Hinge on Donald Trump
This led many to wonder—what were the Raiders afraid of? The team’s decision to cut off the interview and remove the exchange from the official transcript has only fueled speculation. Was it a matter of avoiding political controversy, or were they simply trying to keep the focus on football?
By stepping in so decisively, the Raiders may have inadvertently brought even more attention to the situation, sparking criticism from those who believe the team was trying to stifle Bowers’ voice or avoid potential backlash.
Whatever their reasoning, the Raiders’ reaction has certainly added another layer of drama to what should have been a straightforward postgame narrative.
Instead of just celebrating Bowers’ impressive performance, the conversation has now shifted to the team’s handling of his celebration and its implications.
The rookie’s touchdown dance may have been intended as lighthearted fun, but the Raiders’ response has turned it into a focal point of controversy.