Beyoncé used a forbidden hand gesture during her live halftime performance at the Ravens vs Texans games on Christmas Day, which many fans are speculating may result in a fine from the NFL.
Beyoncé took to the field in her hometown of Houston to perform at halftime at the Ravens vs Texans game during the NFL’s live Christmas Gameday coverage on Netflix.
The 13-minute performance, aptly nicknamed Beyoncé Bowl, ended with a bang – literally.
Viewers were quick to point out that the pop diva‘s use of finger guns during her performance is considered a “violent gesture” that is strictly banned by the NFL in efforts to cultivate a more “family friendly” image, resulting in hefty fines and penalties for players. Many speculated whether the league would fine the singer for her use of the forbidden hand movement.
The 43-year-old, clad in a white rhinestone bodysuit, chaps, and a large cowboy hat, performed songs from her latest album Cowboy Carter, joined by guest stars like Shaboozey, Post Malone, and her 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy.
Beyoncé is no stranger to controversy
As the native Texan took the stage to perform the song Ya Ya, she mimed shooting guns with her fingers, which timed perfectly with the pop of fireworks behind her. Then, at the end of her set, as she finished singing the song Texas Hold ‘Em, she again made the gesture with her left hand as a huge banner dropped from the floating platform she stood on with the word BANG!.
Fans are pointing out the NFL’s hypocrisy in allowing the Beyoncé to make finger guns during her halftime show while cracking down on similar “violent gestures” by doling out 15 yard penalties and thousands of dollars in fines to players.
Just this year, over $150,000 worth of fines have been issued related to players making gun-related gestures on the field, including Drake London, Allen Lazard and Ja’Marr Chase. Deshaun Watson and David Njoku were both fined over $13,000 for their gun-themed celebration in 2023 along with 13 Steelers players for miming a machine-gun during one celebration in 2022.
Her husband Jay-Z, whose company Roc Nation has partnered with the NFL as the league’s “live music entertainment strategist” since 2019, was noticeably absent amid accusations that he and Diddy sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl over 20 years ago, which they both have vehemently denied.
It is unclear whether the NFL will hold the singer to the same standards as its players by issuing a fine for her use of finger guns during the cowboy-themed performance, or if the performance was preapproved by the league.
