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WATCH: USMNT and Chelsea Superstar Christian Pulisic Hits NFL’s Viral ‘Griddy’ Celebration After Scoring First Champions League Goal

Published 02/23/2022, 11:08 PM EST

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European champions Chelsea FC and their fans would be happy about goals from forwards Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic for a smooth progression into the second leg tie of UEFA Champions League Round of 16 games against LOSC Lille. The USMNT winger is a modern trailblazer for US fans in European football. He is doing great things as a player from the US.

He brought some American flavor in his recent goal celebration by pulling out Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson’s Griddy celebration. Pulisic pulled it off after scoring a crucial second goal in the two-legged Champions League tie.

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The goal marked his 6th overall in the competition while it was his 4th goal in Chelsea colors. After scoring the crucial goal, he celebrated with a knee slide and then performed a variation of the NFL’s most viral TD celebration this season. It was a failed attempt by the USMNT player, who later went back to hug his teammates and celebrate together normally.

Many NFL players like Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Kirk Cousins, Odell Beckham Jr., and others have presented their versions of The Griddy celebration. It has been a viral sensation in the US and seems to be now dripping down slowly but surely into European clubs and their players.

Apart from Pulisic, Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga performed the steps for one of his goals in a Premier League game.

Christian Pulisic tried, but originators still reign supreme

The dance finds its roots with the steps being first pulled off by NFL superstar Allen Davis. It went into oblivion for everyone until Jefferson pulled the move off in a 2019 season game.

The originator, Davis, found inspiration for the move from the Nae Nae dance trend from the 2010s and wanted his invention.

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‘Griddy Goes International’: Manchester United Teenage Sensation Hits Iconic NFL Celebration After Scoring in the Premier League

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He took his dance invention on the social media platform, Snapchat, where it took off and gives us the current obsession with it. So as an American and maybe as an NFL fan, Pulisic wanted to pull it off but failed to execute it correctly. It made some waves on social media as fans expressed their displeasure about his improper execution.

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Despite the inaccuracy, the popularity of the sport and some of its cultural influence is slowly trickling into European markets. With attractive things like TD celebrations, something that draws fans in stadiums and on social media, NFL would sit up and take notice. The world will soon recognize the history and excitement surrounding the sport that’s finding a niche in Europe.

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Written by:

Anuj Tazhatuveetil

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An NFL author at EssentiallySports, Anuj Tazhatuveetil is pursuing a Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. Initially, he worked as a freelance content writer and later as a part of Sports404. An unquenchable thirst to learn about all things NFL and NBA, adding to a rather healthy obsession with playing outdoor sports like basketball, and soccer with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of this industry make him a sports aficionado.
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