During the New Orleans Saints’ impressive 44-19 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on September 15, 2024, quarterback Derek Carr found himself at the center of controversy. While his performance on the field was notable—going 11/16 for 243 yards, two passing touchdowns, and a rushing score—it was his end zone celebration that caught the most attention. After a 1-yard rushing touchdown late in the first half, Carr celebrated with a Michael Jackson-inspired dance that raised eyebrows [[❞]](https://gridironheroics.com/saints-derek-carr-disrespects-cowboys/) [[❞]](https://larrybrownsports.com/football/derek-carr-michael-jackson-touchdown-dance-video/639207).
Carr’s dance, while entertaining to some, was seen by others as taunting, particularly since the Saints were already dominating the Cowboys in their home stadium. The move, which included some exaggerated gestures and swagger, sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Saints fans celebrated the moment, while many Cowboys supporters found it disrespectful, interpreting it as mocking both the team and its fans [[❞]](https://gridironheroics.com/saints-derek-carr-disrespects-cowboys/).
When asked about the celebration in a post-game interview, Carr downplayed its significance, humorously stating that dancing was part of his past and that he once used it to win over his wife. He admitted that the dance was spontaneous, emphasizing that he was just caught up in the excitement of the moment [[❞]](https://larrybrownsports.com/football/derek-carr-michael-jackson-touchdown-dance-video/639207). Despite the lighthearted explanation, the celebration added fuel to the already intense rivalry between Saints and Cowboys fans, further stoking the debate about sportsmanship and celebratory boundaries.
Ultimately, while Carr’s performance was crucial in securing the Saints’ second win of the season, his touchdown celebration is what made headlines, reminding fans of how easily emotions can flare in high-stakes games [[❞]](https://gridironheroics.com/saints-derek-carr-disrespects-cowboys/) [[❞]](https://larrybrownsports.com/football/derek-carr-michael-jackson-touchdown-dance-video/639207).
