Packers’ Josh Jacobs Explains TD Celebration as Homage to Gospel Song
Running back states gesture was inspired by 'Break Every Chain,' not his legal troubles.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs stated that his touchdown celebration during a recent game was a tribute to a gospel song and not a reference to his legal issues. The play in question occurred during the Packers' 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.
Jacobs, who recently returned to play after being on the commissioner's exempt list, scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter. Following the touchdown, he briefly held his hands behind his back while accepting congratulations from teammates. This gesture drew significant attention on social media, with some viewers interpreting it as a simulation of being handcuffed.
![Packers RB Josh Jacobs says his TD celebration was inspired by the gospel song "Break Every Chain," not a reference to his recent arrest.]( "Packers RB Josh Jacobs says his TD celebration was inspired by the gospel song "Break Every Chain," not a reference to his recent arrest.")
However, Jacobs clarified that the celebration was modeled after the gospel song "Break Every Chain." He explained that he and other receivers had discussed thanking God after his first touchdown of the season, which he did by kneeling and raising his arms in a prior game. For this subsequent touchdown, they planned the "Break Every Chain"-themed celebration.
"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."
He noted that the television broadcast only showed a brief part of the celebration and that "it was more to it than that."
Jacobs' return to the field marked his second game of the season after being placed on the commissioner's exempt list. The list followed charges filed against him in August stemming from a May altercation. He pleaded no contest last month to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property related to that incident.
Jacobs had been unable to play or practice while on the exempt list. He was removed from the list the week prior, allowing him to compete again, although the NFL's investigation into the matter is ongoing.
