Josh Jacobs Says Celebration Honored Gospel Song, Not Arrest Reference

WHO:

Fox News - Josh Jacobs is a Green Bay Packers star.

CBS Sports - Jacobs is a Green Bay Packers running back.

CBS Sports - Packers wide receiver Savion Williams helped Jacobs devise the touchdown celebration.

CBS Sports - Jacobs was on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list following domestic violence allegations connected to an offseason incident.

WHAT:

Yahoo Sports - Jacobs scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of the Packers’ 27-19 win over the Panthers, then scored again in the third quarter on a 4-yard reception.

Yahoo Sports - Jacobs finished with 39 rushing yards on 21 carries and six catches for 13 yards.

Yahoo Sports - Jacobs said, “I didn't think it was going to be a thing that can be perceived a certain type of way,” and added, “But it's 2026, and it is what it is.”

Yahoo Sports - Jacobs said he was “remorseful” and “sorry for putting this team in this situation,” and said, “Going forward just trying to be better.”

Yahoo Sports - Jacobs was reportedly convicted of battery and fined $1,000; he accepted a deferred judgment agreement on the criminal-damage-to-property charge.

Yahoo Sports - Jacobs was reportedly ordered to pay restitution, attend counseling, avoid contact with the victim, and be supervised for one year.

Yahoo Sports - The NFL’s investigation into possible personal-conduct-policy violations is ongoing; time on the commissioner’s exempt list can count toward a potential suspension.

Fox News - Jacobs said his hands-behind-the-back touchdown celebration referred to the gospel song “Break Every Chain,” not his arrest.

CBS Sports - Jacobs scored a short rushing touchdown against the Carolina Panthers and appeared to put his hands behind his back, a gesture many observers interpreted as mimicking arrest and handcuffing.

CBS Sports - Jacobs said the celebration was planned with Williams and that a longer video showed Williams appearing to unlock chains on Jacobs’ wrists before Jacobs broke free.

CBS Sports - Jacobs said the planned first celebration was to thank God; the next was to be “Break Every Chain.”

CBS Sports - Jacobs said, “They didn't even get the whole celebration,” and said the broadcast showed only one second of it.

CBS Sports - Jacobs said, “It's a gospel song,” and added, “the media's gonna run with it. They're gonna make it something that it wasn't.”

CBS Sports - Jacobs was charged with two misdemeanors: battery and damage to property. He later pleaded no contest to both charges, resolving the court case.

CBS Sports - Jacobs filed an action seeking to prevent public release of evidence related to the case, including alleged video of the incident.

WHERE:

Yahoo Sports - The game was played at Lambeau Field.

CBS Sports - The touchdown occurred against the Carolina Panthers; the article does not give a stadium or city.

CBS Sports - Police responded to Jacobs’ home after a domestic violence incident; the article does not identify its location.

WHEN:

CBS Sports - Jacobs was reinstated from the commissioner’s exempt list after a six-game stint and had returned to the field for two games.

CBS Sports - The arrest occurred in May, and Jacobs pleaded no contest in September.

WHY:

Yahoo Sports - Jacobs said he and Williams did not expect the celebration to be perceived in a particular way.

Packers running back Josh Jacobs scored twice in Green Bay’s 27-to-19 victory over Carolina. His handcuff-like touchdown gesture drew attention, but Jacobs said it referenced the gospel song “Break Every Chain.” Reinstated after six games on the exempt list, Jacobs apologized; the NFL investigation continues.