Brock Bowers is having a rookie season to remember.
Despite the Las Vegas Raiders’ struggles this season, Bowers is breaking or on pace to break several rookie records at tight end. In Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins, Bowers caught 13 receptions, breaking the record of 12 held by former New York Giants tight end Mark Bavaro in 1985. He is 16 receptions away from tying the single-season receptions record for a rookie tight end set by Sam LaPorta last season, and 371 receiving yards away from breaking the record held by Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka.
While Bowers deserves attention for his tremendous play this season, he is currently making waves for another reason.
After scoring a touchdown against the Dolphins, Bowers performed the “Donald Trump dance” celebration that has made its way across the sports world in recent days. The celebration is little more than someone moving their fists back and forth, mimicking the president-elect performing a similar dance at prior events.
Super Bowers.
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????: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/cm5mzNHO4E— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024
Bowers was not the only NFL player to perform the celebration on Sunday, as Detroit Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith and Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley were also noted to have done the Trump dance during their games.
“I’ve seen everyone do it,” said Bowers after the game, per USA Today. “I watched the UFC fight [Saturday] night and Jon Jones did it. I like watching UFC so I saw it, and thought it was cool.”
Following the question about the dance, the Raiders’ public relations staff ended Bowers’ media availability.
At this time, no video of Bowers’ postgame presser includes any mention of the question or his answer. The Raiders have not yet commented on why Bowers’ time was cut short, either.
Maybe the Raiders’ front office didn’t want to offend the president-elect and that’s why they cut Bowers off or maybe they didn’t want to offend the millions of Americans who didn’t vote for Trump either. Either way, the team does not want to court any controversy.
