DeAndre Hopkins shares motivation behind his Titans-themed TD celebration

Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (8) leaves the field after the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

DeAndre Hopkins made an obvious reference to the Tennessee Titans after he scored a touchdown on Monday night, but the star wide receiver said his intention was to show love to his former team.

Hopkins gave the Kansas City Chiefs a lead with a touchdown reception in the first half of his team’s 30-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. After he scored, Hopkins celebrated by breaking out a dance from the hit football movie “Remember the Titans.” You can see the video here.

Some felt that was Hopkins’ way of trolling his former team. However, the three-time All Pro wideout wrote in a social media post on Tuesday that he was giving his former team a friendly shout-out. Hopkins said Titans general manager Ran Carthon is “like family” to the 32-year-old.

“It was a shout to Tennessee, if u know me u know it’s nothing but love for Nashville. Ran and his crew are like family. Without them, I wouldn’t be here,” Hopkins wrote on X.

It was a shout to Tennessee, if u know me u know it’s nothing but love for Nashville. Ran and his crew are like family. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. https://t.co/6YqEZlXyn5

— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) November 5, 2024

Even if Hopkins made it seem like he did not want to be traded, he has no reason to hold ill will toward the Titans. He could not have asked for a better situation at this point in his career than being able to catch passes from Patrick Mahomes and contend for a Super Bowl.

After catching just 2 passes in his Chiefs debut last week, Hopkins had 8 grabs for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns on Monday night. If anything, he should be thanking the Titans for trading him.