Jacobs explains handcuff-style TD celebration

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs stated that his touchdown celebration on Thursday night was a reference to a gospel song, not a nod to his recent legal troubles. The gesture, which saw Jacobs place his hands behind his back, sparked widespread debate on social media after his first game back from the NFL commissioner's exempt list.

The incident occurred during the second quarter of the Packers' 27-19 win over the Carolina Panthers. Jacobs had just crossed the goal line on a one-yard run. While accepting congratulations from teammates, he briefly held his arms behind his back for a moment. Viewers who watched the telecast interpreted the motion as a simulation of being handcuffed, a detail that drew sharp criticism given the timing of his return to the field.

Jacobs explained that he and his receivers, including Savion Williams, planned the sequence before his season debut. The team had designated a specific celebration for his first touchdown, which Jacobs performed with a kneeling prayer after scoring in a 20-17 loss at Detroit on Sunday. They had reserved a different move, modeled after the gospel track "Break Every Chain," for his second score of the season.

"The guys did it with me," Jacobs said regarding the group effort. "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 captured a fraction of the full movement, which included more than just the hand placement.

Jacobs returned to active duty after being placed on the exempt list in August. The list kept him from playing or practicing while the league investigated a May altercation with his then-girlfriend. She alleged that Jacobs threw her to the ground during the incident. Charges were subsequently filed in August.

Last month, Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal destruction of property. The NFL removed him from the exempt list the previous week, allowing him to participate in games even though the league's investigation remains open. He has now played in two contests this season, recording scores in both outings.