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Debate

Is Brock Bowers' celebration a nod to Trump, or just a harmless dance move?

The Las Vegas Raiders have been on a brutal 5-game losing streak, with seemingly no way out. They’re practically the punching bags of AFC West, but there’s a little fight left in this punching bag yet. As the Raiders take on the Dolphins, Brock Bowers looks like a man possessed only by the spirit of victory. Never mind that they’re 24-12 down, or that there is literally no hope of the Raiders making it into the playoffs.

Even if you ignore the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs at 9-0, the Raiders sit fat at the bottom, at a measly 2-7. The dance he did to celebrate isn’t free of controversy, though. It’s suspiciously similar to the one Donald Trump often busted out at rallies. Several other NFL players have courted controversy by outwardly supporting the President Elect, even players’ WAGs got involved on a couple occasions. While more subtle, Bowers certainly seems to be nodding towards Trump, as well.

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It’s not a complicated dance. I suppose you could call it a simple boogie. The arms are held tight to the side with the elbows against the body and then pumped back and forth, all while the body sways left to right. It’s not unique, but Donald Trump has certainly made it something of a trademark. It used to be something he was mocked for, but I suppose you could say it’s been co-opted. With a five-second boogie, Brock Bowers has revealed he’s not unhappy about how the recent election went.

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Conservatism among athletes isn’t generally that surprising. A stock standard response when athletes are asked about what motivates them is their love for God. If you’ve made it big in the NFL, it’s no surprise if you think God’s smiling down on you. But there’s a stigma against being associated with controversial figures. When both Patrick Mahomes’ wife and mother endorsed Trump and he didn’t say anything, it did make it seem he leaned a certain way. Even though Brock Bowers was pretty subtle, others have been more outspoken, of course: Harrison Butker—anyone?

What was the story behind the Harrison Butker mess?

One NFL player to not only publicly but outspokenly support Trump was Harrison Butker. Earlier this November, he posted a video on his Instagram demonizing Kamala Harris and encouraging his fans to vote Trump. “Vote to keep God in America. Vote President Trump,” the caption read. With more than 50,000 likes since then, he’s clearly an influencer, and his endorsement did matter.

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What’s your perspective on:

Is Brock Bowers' celebration a nod to Trump, or just a harmless dance move?

Have an interesting take?

Of course, anyone who’d heard about the other Butker controversy wouldn’t be too surprised which way he leans. The Kansas City Chiefs kicker gave a controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College in Kansas in May this year. Even non football fans heard of this one after Taylor Swift got involved and called him out.

With Trump back in office, we might see even more players stop feeling the shame and speak out about their values. Only time will tell.

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