Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne was ejected from Sunday’s Week 10 matchup against the Detroit Lions after punching wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the helmet during a heated first-quarter exchange.
The Week 10 clash at Northwest Stadium quickly drew national attention even before kickoff, with reports confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump was expected to attend.
Despite his delayed arrival, his presence loomed large, especially after St. Brown’s touchdown celebration appeared to reference him directly, The Mirror US reports.
The Lions jumped out to an early 14-3 lead, with running back Jahmyr Gibbs scoring first before quarterback Jared Goff connected with St. Brown for a 9-yard touchdown.
After scoring, St. Brown pointed toward the suites where Trump was believed to be sitting and mimicked the former president’s signature dance move; the arm-flailing routine made famous during his rallies to the song 'YMCA'.
Daron Payne lashes out after Amon-Ra St. Brown’s touchdown
While the celebration drew mixed reactions online, it also seemed to spark anger on the field.
Following another Lions touchdown by Gibbs, St. Brown exchanged words with Daron Payne as he walked off.
Moments later, Payne struck St. Brown in the helmet – a move that immediately earned him an ejection.
The punch shocked both teams and fans watching at home.
Officials wasted no time sending the Commanders’ defensive captain to the locker room.
Payne, a cornerstone of Washington’s defense, had entered the game after signing a massive four-year, $90 million extension in 2023, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive tackles, according to ESPN.
Commanders lose key defensive leader early
Losing Payne in the first half was a major blow to the Commanders’ defensive line, especially with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels sidelined for the matchup.
Head coach Dan Quinn had praised Payne’s leadership earlier in the week, saying, “Daron Payne at his games going to be one of will, line of scrimmage game for sure. He'll be right in the middle of it.”
Instead, Payne was forced to watch from the locker room as the Lions continued to dominate.
Detroit controlled the tempo throughout the game, capitalizing on Washington’s defensive struggles and converting key drives into points.
Fans react to St. Brown’s Trump-inspired celebration
The viral moment didn’t end with the on-field scuffle. Fans quickly took to social media to react to St. Brown’s celebration, with many debating whether it was meant as a lighthearted joke or a political jab.
One user wrote: “This literally what ruined the Tigers season y’all don’t learn,” referencing Detroit’s MLB team and suggesting the dance might bring bad luck.
Another fan added: “Bruhh…” while others defended St. Brown, insisting he was simply mocking Trump’s well-known dance moves.
“He’s mocking Trump lol. Trump is rooting for Washington, the Lions are beating Washington,” one commenter explained. “Y’all can not be this slow.”
Lions cruise to 44-22 victory
Despite the drama, Detroit never lost focus on the field. Jared Goff led an efficient offensive performance, spreading the ball across multiple receivers and keeping Washington’s defense off-balance. St. Brown finished the game with strong numbers, backing up his early touchdown with another standout performance.
Daron Payne. Credit: Perry Knotts / Getty Images.
By the final whistle, the Lions had secured a convincing 44-22 win, moving closer to solidifying their playoff push. For Washington, the loss extended a frustrating stretch, and Payne’s ejection only deepened questions about the team’s discipline under pressure.
As the Commanders enter their bye week, all eyes will be on how the organization and the NFL address Payne’s outburst. Whether his actions result in further disciplinary measures remains to be seen, but the moment has already become one of the most talked-about incidents of the week.