The Griddy dance has become one of the most recognizable celebrations in sports, particularly in football. This simple yet captivating dance move swept across professional sports leagues and social media platforms, becoming a cultural phenomenon. But behind this iconic celebration is an interesting origin story that connects a high school football player to the NFL’s biggest stages.
The Birth of the Griddy
Allen Davis, better known as “Griddy,” created the dance in 2018 while he was just a high school student in New Orleans. What began as a casual dance among friends quickly gained local popularity. However, it was Louisiana native and former LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase who helped catapult the dance into the national spotlight.
Chase first performed the Griddy during his college days at LSU, bringing the dance to college football audiences. The simple but distinctive move—involving alternating feet while swinging arms back and forth with hands near the eyes as if looking through binoculars—was infectious in its simplicity.
From College Fields to NFL Stadiums
When Chase was drafted to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021, he brought the Griddy with him to the NFL. His touchdowns became opportunities not just to score points but to showcase this hometown dance. The celebration gained even more traction when Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Chase’s former LSU teammate, adopted it as his signature end zone celebration.
By 2025, the Griddy has transcended football to become a staple in popular culture. You’ll see it performed in basketball arenas, on soccer fields, and even in video games like Madden and Fortnite, which have incorporated the dance as an emote or celebration option.
Why the Griddy Connected
What makes the Griddy so special isn’t its complexity—quite the opposite. Its accessibility is what helped it spread so rapidly. Anyone can do it, from professional athletes to young fans. It’s a democratized celebration that bridges the gap between superstars and their admirers.
“I never imagined it would get this big,” Davis has mentioned in interviews. “It was just something fun we did, and now I see kids everywhere doing it.”
Beyond a Dance Move
The Griddy represents more than just a dance; it exemplifies how cultural phenomena can start in local communities and spread globally in our connected world. It also highlights how athletes serve as cultural ambassadors, bringing regional expressions to national and international audiences.
For Allen Davis, watching his creation become part of sports history must be surreal. What began as a playful dance among friends has become immortalized in highlight reels and championship celebrations.
The next time you see a player hit the Griddy after scoring a touchdown, remember its humble origins in New Orleans and the organic way it captured our collective imagination. In a sports world often dominated by corporate influences, the Griddy remains a refreshing reminder of authentic cultural expression—a dance that connected people across different backgrounds through the universal language of celebration.
