Xavien Howard does illegal NFL celebration following pick-six

Miami Dolphins star corner Xavien Howard decided to add a little extra sauce to his touchdown celebration this afternoon. In the first quarter, he intercepted Patriots’ rookie quarterback Mac Jones, took off for the end zone, then spun in the air and mimicked the “Marshawn Lynch” as he dove into the end zone.

Check it out below.

Mac Jones 🎯 Xavien Howard for 6️⃣
pic.twitter.com/HjPOPmWuXQ

— PFF (@PFF) January 9, 2022

The celebration is likely to draw a fine from league officials. Howard likely doesn’t care about the league’s fines. When a player is mimicking the “Marshawn Lynch” celebration, they clearly do not care about the rules.

In 2015, Lynch was fined $20,000 for the celebration, so it’s likely that Howard gets fined the same amount. Fans of the touchdown celebration have to be happy with Howard’s willingness to just not care and do it anyways.

The interception return was a 37-yard house call to put the Dolphins up 14-0. It’s his second pick-six of the 2021 season.

Howard even dodged Mac Jones on his way to the end zone, rubbing more salt in the wound for the former Alabama star. The interception is Howard’s fifth interception for the 2021 season.

The Dolphins currently lead the Patriots 14-0 early in the second quarter. Here’s an interesting stat for Dolphins fans: Xavien Howard now has more receptions (5) than Will Fuller (4) in 2021.

Xavien Howard has been one of the best corners in the league for the past few years

The former Baylor standout has turned himself into one of the best corners in football the past few years. In 2020, he had 10 interceptions, leading the league.

Howard was upset with his contract in the 2021 off-season, but the Dolphins were able to convince him to stay in Miami with added incentives and money. Simply put, he’s an incredible corner. Elite corners like him deserve to be paid and paid very well.

Somewhere out there, Marshawn Lynch is smiling after Howard’s tribute to him today.