GREEN BAY, Wis. Josh Jacobs said his touchdown celebration in the Packers' 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night was a reference to a gospel song. The running back disputed interpretations that connected the gesture to his arrest earlier this year following an incident involving a woman at his home in the Green Bay area.
Broadcast footage showed Jacobs holding his hands behind his back after the first of his two touchdowns, and the clip quickly spread online. Speaking after the game, Jacobs expressed frustration that the cameras had captured only a brief portion of the celebration. He said the gesture was inspired by "Break Every Chain" and that several teammates had made the same movement alongside him.
According to Jacobs, he and receiver Savion Williams planned two celebrations when he returned to the team last week. The first was intended to give thanks to God, which Jacobs said he did after scoring last week. The second was meant to reference the gospel song. He said he had not anticipated that the gesture would be interpreted in connection with his arrest and accused the media of giving it a meaning he had not intended.
Jacobs spent the season's first six games on the commissioner exempt list. His arrest resulted in misdemeanor battery and destruction of property charges, to which he pleaded no contest in September. He was convicted of battery and received a deferred judgment agreement for the destruction of property charge. The NFL removed him from the exempt list in Week 7, but its investigation into possible personal conduct policy violations remains open.
After making his season debut against the Lions on Sunday, Jacobs played at Lambeau Field for the first time this season on Thursday. He described the fans' reception positively and said it was good to return to a packed stadium for a Thursday night game.
Green Bay's running game produced limited returns from Jacobs against the league's worst rushing defense. He finished with 39 yards on 21 carries, averaging 1.9 yards per attempt. His rushing touchdown came on a 1-yard run.
Jacobs also contributed six catches for 13 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. Reflecting on the victory, he acknowledged that the offense had stretches when it struggled and credited the defense with helping the Packers through those periods.
