Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs informed reporters following Thursday night’s game that his touchdown celebration in the first half was inspired by the gospel song “Break Every Chain.”
After he scored from 1 yard out during the second quarter of a 27-19 victory against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field, the Prime Video broadcast shared a snippet of the contentious celebration, which began with him placing his hands behind his back.
This clip quickly gained traction online, with many perceiving that gesture as Jacobs making light of his May arrest, for which he ultimately entered a no contest plea to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property.
Jacobs appeared visibly irritated by that association and refuted it.
“They didn’t even capture the entire celebration,” Jacobs remarked, via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, adding, “It was f***ing one second that they just showed me.”
Jacobs clarified that he and Packers wide receiver Savion Williams devised the celebration together.
“Essentially, last week we agreed that the first celebration, after I score, I would thank God — and that’s what I did last week,” Jacobs explained. “The second one was meant to be ‘Break Every Chain.’ It’s a gospel song. That was going to be the next celebration. There’s a connection, but, as I said, the media [is] going to run with it. They’re going to twist it into something that it wasn’t, but it is what it is.”
Carson Fowler of WFRV Local 5 shared footage of the entire touchdown celebration on X.
Soon after the 28-year-old Jacobs jumped into the end zone to give the Packers a 13-10 lead, he placed his hands behind his back and took a few steps forward. Later, Jacobs and Williams are seen finishing the celebration together.
“I didn’t think it was going to be something that could be interpreted in a particular way,” Jacobs noted, according to ESPN. “But it’s 2026, and it is what it is.”
Jacobs concluded the night with 39 rushing yards on 21 attempts, averaging only 1.9 yards per carry. He did manage to score that touchdown, along with another in the third quarter on a 4-yard reception. The three-time Pro Bowl running back caught six passes for 13 yards during the victory.
This marked his second game of the season after he spent the first six games on the commissioner exempt list.
He was placed on that list following a spring incident involving a woman at his home in the Green Bay area.
In September, Jacobs was reportedly found guilty of battery and fined $1,000. Additionally, according to ESPN, he accepted a deferred judgment agreement related to the criminal damage to property charge.
Jacobs was reportedly mandated to pay restitution, participate in counseling, avoid contact with the victim, and be supervised for a year.
Upon being lifted from the commissioner exempt list earlier this month, Jacobs expressed that he was “remorseful” and “sorry for putting this team in this situation.”
At that time, he stated, among other things: “Moving forward just trying to be better. I understand for some individuals this might be a blemish on my character. I feel like I don’t really need to address my character. Many folks that know me in this locker room or who’ve been around me, I’ll let them speak on that.”
The NFL’s inquiry into Jacobs’ possible breaches of the personal conduct policy is still in progress. Once that inquiry concludes, Jacobs may face a suspension from the league. However, time spent on the commissioner exempt list could count towards any potential suspension.
