Packers star explains hands-behind-back TD celebration with gospel song reference

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs stated on Thursday that his touchdown celebration, which involved placing his hands behind his back, was a specific reference to a gospel song rather than a comment on his legal history. The gesture occurred during the second quarter of the Packers' 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Jacobs had just carried the ball one yard for a score when he turned to receive congratulations from his teammates. He positioned his hands behind his back for a short duration while they gathered around him.

The moment received widespread attention on social media platforms, where many viewers interpreted the motion as a simulation of being handcuffed. This interpretation came shortly after Jacobs returned to the active roster following his time on the NFL commissioner's exempt list. He was placed on that list in August after charges were filed regarding a May incident with his then-girlfriend, who alleged he threw her to the ground. Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal destruction of property last month.

Jacobs explained that the celebration was pre-arranged with his wide receivers, including Savion Williams, before his season debut. The group devised a plan for him to perform a specific tribute to the song 'Break Every Chain' following his second touchdown of the year. His first score of the season occurred Sunday in a 20-17 loss to Detroit, where he knelt and raised his arms in a gesture of gratitude to God. The team intended to follow that with the 'Break Every Chain' move for his next score.

When asked about the specific detail of his hands being behind his back, Jacobs noted that the television broadcast only captured a fraction of the full sequence. He claimed the complete celebration contained more elements than the brief clip shown on air, but acknowledged that the partial view led to the public reaction. 'The guys did it with me,' Jacobs said. 'I didn't think it was going to be a thing that can be perceived a certain type of way. But it's 2026, and it is what it is.'

Jacobs added that the broadcast stopped showing the celebration after the initial moment, leaving fans with an incomplete picture. 'It was more to it than that,' he said. 'They stopped showing the celebration after that. Like I said, it is what it is.' He was removed from the exempt list last week, which allowed him to play despite the fact that the NFL's investigation into the matter is still ongoing. He had been unable to practice or play while on the list.