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Kerby Joseph hits Merton Hanks celebration after 2nd interception, gives Troy Aikman flashbacks

Nick Profile Picby:Nick Geddes•12/30/24•

NickGeddesNews

Kerby Joseph
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

There have been some innovative celebrations this season in the NFL. But the classics never go out of style, and Detroit Lions (14-2) safety Kerby Joseph proved that in the Monday Night Football win over the San Francisco 49ers (6-10).

After picking off 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in the fourth quarter of the 40-34 victory, his second takeaway of the game, Joseph hit the iconic chicken dance celebration made famous by Merton Hanks. The former All-Pro safety is a San Francisco legend, further rubbing salt in the wound for 49ers fans.

Joseph’s chicken dance also brought back some unwanted flashbacks for ESPN analyst Troy Aikman. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback had many a duel with Hanks and the 49ers in the 90s, Hanks recording two of his 33 career interceptions off Aikman.

“That’s the Merton Hanks dance there,” Aikman said on the broadcast.

Kerby Joseph having All-Pro caliber season for Detroit Lions

Joseph had every right to pull that one out given he and his team’s performance. With two more interceptions, Joseph took sole possession atop the NFL with nine total this season. The third-year pro has become a ballhawk, tallying 17 interceptions since entering the league. He has also been one of the few Lions defenders to stay healthy. Joseph could be rewarded with his first career All-Pro nod this season.

“He is a football player and that is one of the things that we liked about him when he was coming out. There was a rawness to him. But he had ball skills and the ability to track the ball. And we felt like he could grow and become a pretty good safety in this league. He certainly has done that, and he is not done. He is not done,” head coach Dan Campbell said earlier this season of Joseph, via Sports Illustrated. “That is what excites you.”

As for the Lions, Monday’s win was the first step to them capturing the No. 1 seed in the NFC, thus gaining home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Detroit needs to win or tie next Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings (13-3), its NFC North foes.

The Lions are one of five teams since seeding began in 1975 that have never been a No. 1 seed, along with the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets, per ESPN.