Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs told reporters postgame Thursday night that his first-half touchdown celebration was an ode to the gospel song, “Break Every Chain.”
After scoring from 1 yard out in the second quarter of a 27-19 win over the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field, the Prime Video broadcast showed a glimpse of the controversial celebration, which began with him putting his hands behind his back.
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That clip instantly circulated online, with many interpreting that gesture as Jacobs mocking his May arrest, for which he ultimately pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property.
Jacobs was clearly bothered by that connection and denied it.
“They didn’t even get the whole celebration,” Jacobs said, via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, noting, “It was f***ing one second that they just showed me.”
Jacobs explained that he and Packers wide receiver Savion Williams came up with the celebration.
“Basically, last week, we said the first celebration, when I score, I was going to thank God — that’s what I did last week,” Jacobs said. “The second one was going to be ‘Break Every Chain.’ It’s a gospel song. That was going to be the next celebration. It’s just a correlation, but, like I said, the media [is] going to run with it. They’re going to make it something that it wasn’t, but it is what it is.”
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Carson Fowler of WFRV Local 5 posted footage of the full touchdown celebration on X.
Not long after the 28-year-old Jacobs hopped into the end zone to give the Packers a 13-10 lead, he put his hands behind his back and walked forward a couple steps. Later, Jacobs and Williams can be seen completing the celebration together.
“I didn’t think it was going to be a thing that can be perceived a certain type of way,” Jacobs said, per ESPN. “But it’s 2026, and it is what it is.”
Jacobs finished the night with 39 rushing yards on 21 carries, averaging a mere 1.9 yards per tote. He did score that TD, though, along with another one in third quarter on a 4-yard reception. The three-time Pro Bowl back caught six passes for 13 yards in the victory.
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It was his second game of the season after he missed the Packers’ first six while on the commissioner exempt list.
He landed on that list in the aftermath of his spring altercation with a woman at his Green Bay area home.
Back in September, Jacobs was reportedly convicted of battery and fined $1,000. Additionally, per ESPN, he accepted a deferred judgment agreement on the criminal damage to property charge.
Jacobs was reportedly ordered to pay restitution, attend counseling, avoid contact with the victim and be supervised for one year.
Upon being removed from the commissioner exempt list earlier this month, Jacobs said he was “remorseful” and “sorry for putting this team in this situation.”
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At the time, he added, among other things: “Going forward just trying to be better. I know for some people this might be a stain on me and my character. I feel like I don’t have to really speak on my character. A lotta people that know me in this locker room, or that’s been around me, I’ll let them do that.”
The NFL’s investigation into Jacobs’ potential violations of the personal conduct policy is ongoing. Once that investigation wraps, Jacobs could receive a suspension from the league.
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