Shortly after scoring a touchdown and executing a “Trump dance” celebration while Donald Trump watched from the stands, Amon‑Ra St. Brown got caught in a startling moment. In the first quarter of the game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., the Detroit Lions receiver sprinted past the Washington Commanders defence to reach the end zone.

As the teams shifted to the next possession, tension still lingered. Moments into the second quarter, Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne unexpectedly threw a punch at St. Brown’s helmet, prompting a flag and Payne’s ejection from the game for unnecessary roughness.

Shortly after, another Washington defender, Javon Kinlaw, was penalised for making contact with an official during the same sequence.

Despite the uproar, the Lions pulled away to a 44-22 win, and St. Brown finished with five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown.