It was a moment that had everyone from Minnesota Vikings fans to fantasy football managers to — probably — Vikings players themselves freaking out: As Justin Jefferson started up his famed Griddy celebration post-touchdown on Sunday, he grabbed at his hamstring.
GAH!
But it turned out he was faking it, that it was part of his touchdown dance (his teammates kind of ruined the whole thing, for what it’s worth).
The funny thing is, Jefferson isn’t the first athlete to do the faking-injury-while-celebrating thing in 2022. One other star wideout has done it, and we’ve seen it in soccer a bunch.
Let’s review:
Here's Jefferson's faux injury
JUSTIN DON'T DO THAT TO US!! pic.twitter.com/MGwmON2wFR
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 13, 2022
Fake Injury on the Gritty.
Justin Jefferson wants us all to have a heart attack pic.twitter.com/XekoYVtxah
— PlayerProfiler NFL (@Profiler_NFL) November 13, 2022
Ja'Marr Chase had done it previously
#Vikings Justin Jefferson tried this celebration & failed due to Brian O’Neill being overly aggressive 🤣
For those wondering… Here is Ja’Marr Chase executing the “Fake Hamstring Griddy” to perfection… pic.twitter.com/H1fp6c4jAI
— Ron Johnson (@3RonJohnson) November 13, 2022
Justin Jefferson just punked the Announcers with fake hammy injury , a copy of Chase
https://t.co/B3Wd3QySjW— RICHARD MALLON (@mallontown) November 13, 2022
Lo'eau LaBonta did it in the NWSL
This was back in August:
Lo'eau LaBonta faked the hamstring injury for the celebration 😂
(via @nwsl) pic.twitter.com/ZT2LZJjCRq
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 20, 2022
What a legend.
Antonee Robinson did it
Antonee Robinson with the fake hamstring celebration 😂 pic.twitter.com/FDsOgwO0Xi
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 28, 2022
This was back in January!
Antonio Rudiger joked about it in November
Toni Rudiger is that guy 😂pic.twitter.com/QvZfSroNvo
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 2, 2022
Truly a trend!