Several fans saw the irony in Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Jalen McMillan getting flagged for a “violent gesture” during Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
The Bucs were behind 19-13 and had 4th-and-8 near midfield with 10:49 left in the fourth quarter. Baker Mayfield connected with McMillan for a 33-yard catch to secure a huge first down that had fans rocking inside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
However, the referees took away 15 yards after calling a penalty on McMillan. The officials deemed McMillan had celebrated the big play with a “violent gesture” as he pointed toward the Saints’ end zone with his two arms raised.
Fans on X pointed out how comical it was that McMillan got penalized for his celebration, given that the Buccaneers celebrate touchdowns by firing cannons from a decorative ship inside the stadium.
Awful move by Jalen McMillan there. Can’t make any gestures referencing weapons in the NFL. Shame on him. Anyways let’s see if the Bucs can get a touchdown in their stadium that shoots cannons from a pirate ship every time they score. pic.twitter.com/w5d6cdY93v
— Danny Heifetz (@Danny_Heifetz) January 5, 2025
Jalen McMillan being flagged for making his fingers look like guns in a stadium that shoots cannons off every home TD is a bit ironic.
— Tony Farmer (@Tonysmarkettips) January 5, 2025
Ironic that after McMillan game tying touchdown after that huge catch on 4th and 8 that was taken off the board because McMillan made a "violent gesture" , that the Buccaneers are still shooting their cannons off to celebrate said touchdown. SMH.
Gotta be consistent.
— Lee (@WorkItBaby2183) January 5, 2025
How dare Jalen McMillan make such an awful gesture right near those cannons the Bucs shoot! https://t.co/eHjxl6xpv8
— Matt (@MattD366) January 5, 2025
McMillan had those very cannons firing just two plays after his penalty. The Washington alum caught a 32-yard pass for a touchdown that put Tampa Bay ahead 20-19.
Fire the cannons! Baker Mayfield finds Jalen McMillan in the corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown 🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/C25aQhSu12
— Kenny Morales (@KennyMoralesTV) January 5, 2025
McMillan did express regret over his celebration after the game. He revealed that two of his fingers were taped together, which made the gesture look more ominous than him simply pointing toward the end zone with one finger.
“I messed up. I shouldn’t have did the thing,” said McMillan in the locker room. “Kept my composure and at the end of the day, that’s football.”
McMillan tallied 5 catches for 74 yards with a touchdown in the Buccaneers’ 27-19 win over the Saints.
Tampa Bay finished the season 10-7 to secure the 3rd seed in the NFC, setting up a date with the Washington Commanders in the Wild Card round.
