Beyoncé stole the show Wednesday when she performed at halftime of the Christmas Day game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens.
The “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer rode into NRG Stadium on horseback and performed songs from her latest album, “Cowboy Carter.”
At one point he was joined on the field by Shaboozey and Post Malone.
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Beyoncé on a scaffold during halftime of an NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
As Beyoncé began to finish, she stood on scaffolding and was lifted high above the field. She then made a finger gesture with her hands as a large banner reading “Bang” unfurled behind her.
Fans in the stadium applauded and reviews were mostly positive on social media. But NFL fans began mocking the finger gun gesture because of the league’s crackdown this season.
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Several NFL stars have displayed finger guns after touchdowns or to signal a first down. NFL officials have thrown flags after those celebrations while the league has cracked down on celebrations that include gestures of violence.
Beyoncé performs during halftime of an NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
NFL executive Troy Vincent addressed the issue at a league meeting in October, according to NFL Network.
“There’s no place for that in professional football,” Vincent said of the gestures. “Think about where we are as a society… I don’t think that’s where we are or what we’re trying to represent. We have a responsibility as professional athletes.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also spoke on the issue.
“It’s a long-standing policy and we’re going to enforce it,” Goodell said. “Troy had a direct conversation with the union, I believe, last week about it. We’re going to continue with that approach. We don’t think it’s appropriate in those circumstances and it sends the wrong messages. So, we continue to do that.”
Beyoncé with her dancers during halftime of an NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
A high-ranking NFL employee told The Athletic last week that players are warned about the gestures each year and that they could result in sanctions.
