Josh Jacobs calls out Amazon’s TNF broadcast amid backlash over controversial celebration

The Green Bay Packers comfortably defeated the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, but it wasn’t without controversy. Packers running back Josh Jacobs scored a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter of Green Bay’s 29-17 win, and his celebration caught the eyes of many. Jacobs held onto the ball and put his hands behind his back for a few seconds in a move that seemed to be imitating that of being handcuffed. The 28-year-old was arrested and charged with five counts associated with a domestic abuse complaint made on May 23. The reaction was immediate because of what happened in May, but Jacobs explained that the broadcast didn’t capture the full story. “Yeah, they didn’t even get the whole celebration,” Jacobs told ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “It was just one second that they showed me. But anyways, me and Savion [Williams] came up with a celebration. They would have seen all the celebration. “Basically, last week, we [Jacobs and Williams] said the first celebration, when I scored, I was gonna thank God, that’s what I did last week. “Second was gonna be ‘Break Every Chain,’ it’s a gospel song. That was gonna be the next celebration. “It’s just a correlation, but like I said, the media gonna run with it. They gonna make it something that it wasn’t, but it is what it is.” Following his arrest , the NFL put Jacobs on the Commissioner Exempt List, which kept him out for the first six games. Jacobs made his season debut last week, rushing for 36 yards on 11 carries, and added another 39 yards and a touchdown on Monday. View Tweet: https://t.co/b92VhJL7ZT He remains under investigation by the league, which will act independently of a court ruling on him. Kirk Herbstreit forced to change subject on broadcast The game was broadcast on Amazon Prime, with Kirk Herbstreit and Al Michaels in the booth. In the first quarter, Jacobs ran on second down with Carolina leading by three points, and Michaels had something to say. “Jacobs was on the Commissioner’s Exempt List until last week,” Michaels noted.  “Going a little tempo here,” Herbstreit awkwardly added, while changing the topic. “Try to change things up. Try to get Carolina a bit on their heels.” Amazon have held broadcasting rights to Thursday nights since 2022, but the future of both Michaels and Herbstreit is up in the air. Michaels, the 81-year-old broadcasting legend, is facing increasing calls to retire due to on-air blunders. While Amazon recently extended Herbstreit, there is a clause in his contract that allows the streamer to replace him if they find a suitable replacement. As for the Packers, 2026 has seen an inconsistent start, although Thursday’s win is a step in the right direction. At 5-3, despite their winning record, Green Bay are last in a competitive NFC North, behind the 6-0 Minnesota Vikings , 5-2 Caleb Williams-led Chicago Bears , and 4-2 Detroit Lions. Next up for the Packers is a clash with the New England Patriots on November 8. Sign up for talkSPORT Stateside , the YouTube channel dedicated to passionate US Sports fans. Will Gavin, Brian T. Smith, former NFL star Efe Obada and a collection of special guests debate the biggest talking points across the NFL, soccer, NBA and more.