By Moses Joshua 
Lions star wideout vents frustration after league shuts down a harmless first-down celebration during a critical stretch of Detroit’s season
A Celebration That Didn’t Last a Drive
The Detroit Lions didn’t just come out firing against the Los Angeles Rams — they came out having fun.
Early in the game, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jameson Williams debuted a quirky, choreographed first-down celebration. Each time the chains moved, the trio pantomimed digging in their nose and flicking it away — a lighthearted inside joke that quickly caught the attention of fans and cameras alike.
The celebration wasn’t random. According to those familiar with the moment, rookie defensive tackle Tyleik Williams pitched the idea to the offense during the week. The players bought in, embraced it, and rolled it out on game day.
It didn’t last long.
After Detroit’s first offensive drive, coaches delivered the message: the NFL had seen enough.
“That’s Crazy, NFL”
St. Brown didn’t hide his frustration once he learned the celebration had been flagged as unacceptable.
On the latest episode of the St. Brown Bros. podcast, the All-Pro receiver explained how the moment unfolded in real time.
“We did it the first drive. Our receiver coach comes through after the first drive and says, ‘Hey man, ref said you guys can’t do that no more,’” St. Brown shared.
“I’m like, ‘What the f**k. Really?’ You can’t dig in your nose and flick it. That’s crazy NFL. Why can’t I dig up my nose and flick it?”
The message from officials was clear: continue the celebration, and a penalty would follow.
For a league that has gradually loosened its stance on celebrations, the crackdown felt inconsistent — especially considering the gesture wasn’t directed at an opponent or crowd.
Timing Matters as Lions Fight for Survival
The celebration drama came at a tense moment in Detroit’s season.
After the loss to the Rams, the Lions remain on the outside of the NFC playoff picture, with no margin for error down the stretch. At this point, Detroit must win its final three games and rely on help from teams ahead of them to sneak into the postseason.
That context only amplified the frustration. The Lions were searching for momentum, energy, and identity — and something as small as a harmless celebration felt like a release valve in an otherwise pressure-filled stretch.
Instead, it became another reminder that nothing comes easy.
Why St. Brown Is (Reluctantly) Rooting for Green Bay
As strange as it sounds, St. Brown also made it clear this week that Lions fans may need to hold their noses — figuratively this time — and root for the Green Bay Packers.
The playoff math is simple, even if the circumstances aren’t.
“If you look at the odds, we want the Packers to beat the Bears, because then that would give them five losses,” St. Brown explained.
“And then, we play them the last game of season. If we beat them, it gives them six losses. And if we take care of business, that’s six for both of us. But, we win the tiebreaker.”
Green Bay already beat Chicago once this season, and despite dealing with injuries — including the loss of a star outside linebacker to a torn ACL — they remain a key variable in Detroit’s playoff hopes.
It’s not ideal. But survival rarely is.
Bottom Line: Let the Players Be Themselves
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s frustration isn’t really about a nose-flick celebration. It’s about expression, energy, and the fine line the NFL still draws when it comes to personality.
In a league desperate to showcase stars and grow the game, moments like this feel unnecessary — especially when they involve harmless fun rather than taunting or disrespect.
The Lions have bigger problems to solve than celebration rules. But as St. Brown made clear, sometimes the little things say a lot.
And right now, Detroit’s star receiver just wants the freedom to celebrate first downs — his way.