By Sunday 
When the Detroit Lions rolled into Washington, most of us expected fireworks from the offense—and we got them. What we didn’t expect was the combination of a viral dance, a heated sideline exchange, and a fine that made just as many headlines as the win itself.
Let’s break down what really happened with Amon-Ra St. Brown in Week 10, and why his $12,172 penalty carries a bigger message than it seems.
A Touchdown, a Viral Dance, and a Whole Lot of Attention
Amon-Ra St. Brown didn’t just score—he celebrated. And in front of a packed stadium, he mimicked a viral dance associated with President Donald Trump, who happened to be in attendance. The moment blew up fast.
Midweek, St. Brown addressed the moment on his podcast. He kept it simple:
if any president had been there, he said he would’ve copied their move too. He apologized, clarified the intent, and shifted the spotlight back where he wanted it—on football, and on Detroit’s resurgent offense under Dan Campbell’s direction.
So Where Does the $12,172 Fine Come In?
Here’s the wrinkle: the fine wasn’t for the celebration at all.
According to Tom Pelissero, the NFL hit St. Brown with a $12,172 penalty for unnecessary roughness after he smacked the facemask of Daron Payne. Payne retaliated with a punch, got ejected, and later earned a one-game suspension.
The league made it clear: post-play tempers aren’t getting any wiggle room this season. With emotions high after big scores and heated scrums, the NFL is drawing a hard line.
Why Detroit Can’t Afford This Right Now
Don’t get it twisted—St. Brown’s fire is part of what makes this offense tick. But Detroit is in the thick of the NFC race, and unnecessary penalties (or potential missed time) from their top target aren’t part of the blueprint.
Expect Dan Campbell and the staff to hammer composure even harder, especially with Philadelphia on deck and every inch of margin shrinking.
The Offense Is Clicking—And This Moment Shouldn’t Overshadow It
The fines and fallout are one thing, but Detroit fans saw something far more important in Week 10: a real offensive reset.
With Campbell taking over play-calling, the unit found rhythm—cleaner sequencing, faster answers vs. pressure, and Jared Goff operating in total flow. Opening with scores on eight straight possessions? Yeah, that’s not a fluke.
St. Brown and Jameson Williams both cashed in, while the run-pass balance finally looked like the one we’ve all been waiting for. Campbell calls it, John Morton designs it, and suddenly everything feels aligned.
If that clarity holds, Detroit won’t need to rely on its defense to carry the load—they’ll be in the playoff seeding fight with confidence.