Of all the things for an opposing rookie to do at M&T Stadium to insult the Baltimore Ravens, this one might top the list.
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Jaylin Noel decided to pour salt on the wounds of the Ravens after scoring on a 4-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud in the fourth quarter of a 44-10 Texans victory.
Noel, a third round pick (No. 79 overall) out of Iowa State, decided that was the moment to mimic the iconic “Squirrel” celebration dance made famous by Ravens legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis.
As expected, neither the Ravens or their fans took kindly to the move, and not on a day when the Ravens were missing 6 Pro Bowlers and handed the worst home loss in franchise history.
After the score and dance, Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander came over and tried to rip the ball away from Noel after doing the dance and a fight almost ensued.
It was the first career NFL touchdown for Noel, who only has 5 receptions for 22 yards through the first 5 games.
Ravens Fans Shocked, Mad After Noel’s Celebration
Noel’s in-your-face celebration sent shockwaves online as fans and foes reacted.
“Texans rookie Jaylin Noel scored a TD,” The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov wrote on his official X account. “He wanted to do Ray Lewis’s signature dance in Baltimore. Jaire Alexander wasn’t having it.”
“Jaylin Noel is a savage for doing the Ray Ray dance after the TD,” NFL reporter and radio host Landry Locker wrote on his official X account. “That’s insane swagger.”
“Jaylin Noel really hit the Ray Lewis ‘squirrel’ dance after scoring in Baltimore,” Underdog NFL wrote on its official X account.
“Texans rookie Jaylin Noel disrespectfully hit the Ray Lewis squirrel dance, and the Ravens defense was extremely angry about it, and a scuffle ensued,” ML Football wrote on its official X account. “Extremely disrespectful to do it in Baltimore‘s home.”
Teammates Should Probably Check Noel
CBS Sports color commentator and 3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt probably had the most astute take on Noel’s celebration.
“(Noel) does something in Baltimore that for many years would’ve never been allowed by an opposing player,” Watt said during the broadcast.
For a team with a head coach who is a former NFL linebacker in DeMeco Ryans, there’s probably a good chance someone in the organization — hopefully Ryans — tells Noel why what he did was in poor taste.
In the ultra-exclusive fraternity, one of the unspoken rules of entry is a rookie should never even peripherally insult one of the greatest players in NFL history.
Lewis, a 2-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP and 10-time NFL All-Pro, fits that bill.
“I seen him celebrating in the end zone and I didn’t appreciate it while I was on the field,” Alexander said after the game. “So I seen him toss the ball to the ballboy and he tried to get it back and I was like ‘Nah, you ain’t getting that back,’ and they got mad.”
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