Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson hasn’t proven himself in the NFL yet, but he’s already elevated his taunting game to a Hall of Fame level.
Richardson led the Colts on a touchdown drive in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night. He completed a couple of passes on the drive, but running back Deon Jackson got the TD on a short run.
Yet after the play Richardson celebrated by mimicking the Eagles’ famous “Fly Eagles, Fly” arm-flapping celebration.
While Amazon Prime play-by-play broadcaster Al Michaels sounded amused, Eagles fans certainly were not. The fan base that once booed Santa Claus and has booed injured players doesn’t take kindly to a rookie showboating after a routine preseason play.
But for Colts fans who’ve been looking for a QB savior in the post-Andrew Luck era, Richardson’s bravado and confidence had to be reassuring.
The Colts drafted the former Florida Gators star No. 4 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, based in part on a historic performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. He is set to start the season opener.
The NFL world had mixed thoughts on Richardson’s celebration.
Anthony Richardson showing cockiness early.
I like it.
Play with confidence, or don’t play at all. https://t.co/9sWGEwuowI
— John Frascella (Football) (@LegendSports7) August 25, 2023
Proud to be the only Eagles fan who likes this
— Go Birds (@GoBirds_55) August 25, 2023
Lol, I like confidence but taunting a playoff team in preseason is hilarious
— Adel (@DigitalAdel) August 25, 2023
as much as i enjoy having heart, he has 0 accomplishments in the NFL, he needs to humble himself he not there yet
— Chris
(@ThereGoCupid) August 25, 2023
Woulda been more appropriate if he was the one that scored the TD. But kinda funny
— Robb Jacobson (@Robbbbbbb) August 25, 2023
Richardson could be a problem in the NFL! He could be gooood!
— Chris Campasano (@chriscampasano) August 25, 2023
[NFL Twitter; Photo Credit: Amazon Prime]