Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins celebrated his first touchdown with the team by performing the iconic dance from "Remember The Titans" during " Monday Night Football ." This raised some eyebrows considering Hopkins was recently traded to the Chiefs by the Tennessee Titans, suggesting he was mocking his former team. However, the three-time All-Pro took to social media to clarify his celebration was just out of respect for where he came from.
"It was a shout to Tennessee, if u know me u know it's nothing but love for Nashville," the ex-Titan explained in a post on X. "Ran and his crew are like family. Without them, I wouldn't be here."
The Titans traded Hopkins to the Chiefs in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick that will elevate to a fourth-round pick if Kansas City makes the Super Bowl and Hopkins plays 60% of the offensive snaps. Tennessee also took on $2.5 million of Hopkins' remaining $8 million salary.
Hopkins debuted for the Chiefs in their 27-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8 but only got 29 yards on two receptions. In the team's 30-24 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he showed why the Chiefs targeted him in the trade market by catching two touchdown passes and getting 86 yards on nine receptions.
The Chiefs needed a wide receiver after their No. 1 option Rashee Rice underwent season-ending surgery to repair the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee following a Week 4 injury. Hopkins is in his 12th season in the NFL, and the Chiefs are the fourth team of his career after being drafted by the Houston Texans in 2013.
His Week 9 performance proves the 32-year-old has more All-Pro-level performances to contribute. The Chiefs are contenders, especially compared with the 2-6 Titans, and Hopkins has a chance to be a part of a championship-winning team. He'll certainly be remembered in Kansas City if he can help the team make history by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl.
