Packers RB says handcuff celebration was a gospel reference

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs spent only a brief moment with his hands behind his back during a touchdown celebration on Thursday night, yet that single gesture generated widespread debate among fans and media.

Jacobs returned to action in his second game of the season following his removal from the commissioner’s exempt list. He had been placed on that list in August after charges were filed related to a May altercation with his then-girlfriend. Last month, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property.

The incident occurred during the second quarter of a 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Jacobs scored on a one-yard run and subsequently placed his hands behind his back while receiving congratulations from teammates. Television broadcasts captured the moment, leading many viewers to interpret the pose as a simulation of being handcuffed.

Jacobs clarified that the gesture was not a reference to his legal situation but rather a nod to a gospel song titled “Break Every Chain.” He stated that the idea originated in discussions with receivers Savion Williams and others before his season debut. They had agreed that he would perform a celebration thanking God after his first touchdown, which occurred during a 20-17 loss at Detroit where he dropped to his knees and raised his arms.

The “Break Every Chain” movement was reserved for his second touchdown of the season. When asked about the specific hand position, Jacobs noted that the broadcast only showed a fragment of the full action. “It was more to it than that,” he said. “They stopped showing the celebration after that. Like I said, it is what it is.”

Before his return, Jacobs was unable to play or practice while on the exempt list. The NFL removed him from that list last week, allowing him to rejoin the active roster even though the league’s investigation into his conduct remains ongoing.