The Indianapolis Colts have been riding a rollercoaster this season, battling inconsistencies yet showing flashes of brilliance. Amidst their season grind, linebackers E.J. Speed and Zaire Franklin sat down for a candid chat on the In the Trenches podcast, sharing their thoughts on the league, their games, and some offbeat topics. What grabbed attention, however, was Speed’s take on the infamous “Donald Trump Dance” celebration trend and his perception of how the NFL is handling it.

Speed didn’t hold back when asked about the viral dance, popularized by players across the league. “Man, they’re talking about getting rid of that joint. The Trump dance? That’s hate,” Speed remarked, clearly frustrated with how the celebration is being received.

He felt the league’s approach was restrictive, hinting at potential fines or repercussions. While players are allowed to celebrate, Speed questioned the boundaries the NFL sets, particularly when it comes to Roger Goodell’s administration. “Football is football, bro, but sometimes it feels like they’re just finding reasons to control the vibe out there,” he added.

The discussion took an unexpected turn when Zaire Franklin, visibly uncomfortable, chose to redirect the conversation. Shutting it down with a quick, “Bro, we gotta move on,” Franklin shifted gears to talk about their recent game against the Jets. He detailed the unique energy at MetLife Stadium, reflecting on the team’s performance and emphasizing the importance of staying focused on the field rather than off-field drama.

As for the NFL, it has maintained that the ‘Trump Dance’ isn’t a political statement and has no plans to ban it outright. The league allows celebrations that are creative but non-political, leaving networks to decide how much airtime these moments receive.

While debates linger, one thing is clear—celebrations, whether viral or controversial, remain an integral part of the game’s evolving culture.

Brock Bowers channels ‘Donald Trump Dance’: A celebration that sparked debate

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“I’ve seen everyone do it,” Bowers said when asked about the move. “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.” However, his moment in the limelight didn’t last long. The Raiders abruptly ended his media availability following the question, raising eyebrows among fans.

Bowers isn’t alone in adopting the dance. NFL players like Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers also made waves with similar celebrations. Bosa famously performed the dance after a sack in Week 10, saying, “I think you know the answer to that question,” when asked why he chose the move. However, Bosa faced a hefty $11,255 fine earlier this month for wearing a pro-Trump hat during a post-game interview, an act deemed a violation of NFL uniform rules.

Beyond football, Jon Jones kicked off the trend at UFC 309, celebrating his title defense with the dance in Trump’s presence. Even soccer star Christian Pulisic and golfer Charley Hull joined in, insisting it was “just for fun” rather than political.