Staff Reports
In a bold display of individualism and perhaps a sprinkle of rebellion, Raiders tight end Brock Bowers embraced the latest NFL trend, the “Trump Dance,” following a touchdown catch against the Miami Dolphins. While Bowers may have thrilled his teammates and entertained a section of jubilant fans, the Raiders’ public relations team seemed less than thrilled by the unexpected burst of political expression on the field.
Bowers made his move in the third quarter of the game, snagging a touchdown pass from Gardner Minshew II and subsequently unleashing a dance that would have the leftists in the media clutching their pearls. The Raiders may have lost the game 34-19, but at least Bowers ensured social media was alive with discussion of his antics. One has to wonder if conservatives across the nation would rise to his defense as unlikely champions of First Amendment rights when they see an athlete express a bit of personality—especially one that celebrates Donald Trump.
🚨WILD: #Raiders star Brock Bowers was asked a question about Donald Trump and his TD celebration, and the team IMMEDIATELY ENDED his presser.
It appears that the video has been wiped from the team's website, and from the media transcripts sent out by the team.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 17, 2024
When questioned about the dance, Bowers explained his inspiration came from watching a recent UFC fight featuring Jon Jones. After all, who doesn’t want to be associated with mixed martial arts, a sport known for its audio visuals of raw energy? Naturally, Bowers thought it would be a cool way to celebrate his achievement on the field. Perhaps the Raiders’ PR professionals should take note: the fans want their players to be authentic and relatable, not just walking soundbites for corporate sponsors.
However, all was not well in the land of political self-expression. Following his comments, the Raiders’ media team swiftly cut Bowers’ availability, possibly fearing the backlash from a liberal media that has shown a proclivity for silencing voices they don’t agree with. In the grand theater of sports, comedy often lingers in the background, and nothing is funnier than a team being petrified of a little dance that’s more about spontaneity than a full-blown political statement.
Bowers wasn’t alone in his dance moves that week. Fellow players Za’Darius Smith and Malcolm Rodriguez of the Detroit Lions, and Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine from the Tennessee Titans, also embraced the Trump Dance. This raises the question of whether the NFL is witnessing a playful rebellion against the increasingly sanitized nature of professional sports, where only pre-approved expressions of joy are allowed.
In the end, one can’t help but appreciate a little celebration in a game that often takes itself far too seriously. Bowers and his fellow players may just be the pulse-check the league doesn’t know it needs, and a reminder that sometimes the most potent way to resist an overreaching PR policy is through a well-timed dance move—especially one that pays homage to the era of Trump.
