The 11 Most Iconic Signature Celebrations in Sports History

David Kenyon Featured Columnist IV

The 11 Most Iconic Signature Celebrations in Sports History

Jim Rogash/ Not only are celebrations a normal part of sports, athletes can turn those emotion-filled moments into their signature move.
The moment that someone won a race, scored a touchdown or hit a clutch shot, we knew what was coming next.
The single rule followed here is that it was a trademark celebration. For example, I can hardly express the hilarity of Terrell Owens standing on the Dallas Cowboys' logo at midfield and getting tackled. A-plus execution on both sides. However, that wasn't a regular occurrence.
While the list is largely subjective, there are plenty of worthy candidates that may be close to your sports-loving heart.

Carl Edwards' Backflip

Geoff Burke/ for NASCAR Generally speaking, a winning driver will hammer the gas pedal for a burnout—in some cases, what you know as doing donuts.
Carl Edwards did that, too. Unlike most racers, though, the former NASCAR star's celebration didn't end there. When he stepped out of the car, Edwards would do a backflip before his trip to victory lane.
Edwards, who will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2025, won 28 races at the sport's highest level.

Cristiano Ronaldo: The Siu

Alessandro Sabattini/ Given that Cristiano Ronaldo has scored hundreds of goals in his professional career, it's no surprise he's used numerous celebrations.
One, however, stands clearly above the rest.
The superstar scorer—once he's spotted a camera—will sprint to the corner flag, pirouette in midair and exclaim "Siiuuu!" as he hits the ground and outstretches his arms.

Damian Lillard: Dame Time

Kevork Djansezian/ Damian Lillard buried a clutch shot? Well, it's Dame Time.
Selected sixth overall in the 2012 NBA draft, the All-Star guard rose to prominence with the Portland Trail Blazers. He quickly became the team's go-to player in key stretches and would celebrate made shots by tapping his wrist, signifying that was his moment.
Lillard has since joined the Milwaukee Bucks, where the clocks are a couple hours earlier than in Portland. But it's always Dame Time.

Dikembe Mutombo's Finger Wag

Scott Cunningham/NBAE via I can only imagine how many players immediately turned away from Dikembe Mutombo after he blocked a shot.
The next part? Just demoralizing.
Immortalized in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, the legendary center would simply wag his finger. , the gesture said. . And it happened with great regularity, considering Mutombo tallied the second-most blocks in NBA history.

Ickey Woods: Ickey Shuffle

Photo by Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated via Younger generations may know the Ickey Shuffle—and Mutombo's finger wag—because of more recent Geico commercials.
Ickey Woods, though, unveiled his touchdown dance with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1988. Woods shuffled to the right, went back to the left, hopped three times and spiked the ball.
The fullback powered in 15 scores as a rookie and totaled 27 touchdowns before injuries cut short his playing days.

LeBron James: The Silencer

Thearon W. Henderson/ When it comes to LeBron James, there are probably a handful of actions fans quickly remember. For many years—particularly early in his NBA career—he'd toss chalk into the air as part of his pregame routine.
LeBron's most iconic in-game celebration arrived later, introducing "The Silencer" after a winning shot in 2014.
Three stomps. Hands quieting the opposing crowd. Pound the chest.
And game over.

Oakland A's Bash Brothers

Sporting News via via We could talk about steroids and this, that and the other thing. Right now, let's focus on the good memories!
Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco formed a fearsome duo in the Oakland Athletics' lineup from 1986 to '92. They developed a reputation as outstanding power hitters, both leading Major League Baseball in home runs at least once while teammates in Oakland.
As the Bash Brothers met at home plate, they would slam—excuse me, bash—forearms together.
The celebration became an A's team tradition, too.

Rob Gronkowski's Spike

Photo by Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated via Rob Gronkowski wasn't the first person to spike a football, and he's certainly not the last. He didn't own the imaginary rights to the celebration while playing, either. All of that is true.
Still, he's the poster boy of it.
During his 11 NFL seasons, the "Gronk Spike" was a staple for the New England Patriots and later the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He broke it out while throwing a first pitch at a Boston Red Sox game and dropping the puck for the Boston Bruins—and even the roast of Tom Brady.

Steph Curry: Night Night

Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Yes, it mostly happens when Stephen Curry is playing for the Golden State Warriors. I, like so many others, will never forget when he told the nation of France to turn out the lights at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The celebration—hands together by the face—is simple. Nothing left to see here, friends; grab a pillow and go to bed.
We've come to expect it when Curry hits a dagger late in a game.

Tiger Woods' Fist Pumps

Usain Bolt: Lightning Bolt

Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via The fastest man in history deserves a signature move.
Usain Bolt holds both the Olympic and world records in the 100- and 200-meter sprints. Every time the Jamaican crossed the line first—and he very rarely did not—he'd drop into the "Lightning Bolt" celebration.
Bolt swept the 100 and 200 at the 2008 Beijing, 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games.
His celebration is so iconic, his home country put up a statue of it in 2017 at Jamaica's National Stadium in Kingston:

X