49ers’ Kyle Shanahan loved Nick Bosa’s Trump-inspired sack celebration against Buccaneers

Darren Yamashita-Imagn images

Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was not Nick Bosa‘s most dominant display. The San Francisco 49ers defensive end registered just three pressures. However, Bosa did manage to bring down Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield for a sack, and his celebration after the play sparked reactions on social media. Depending on the political preferences of the viewers, he received both criticism and praise.

Just a day earlier, Bosa had been fined for a uniform violation related to wearing a MAGA hat on the field in support of Donald Trump after the Week 8 win over the Dallas Cowboys. In his celebration after his firing against the Buccaneers, Bosa seemed to give a nod to the newly elected president.

When asked about his motivation behind the celebration, Bosa replied, “I think you know the answer to that question.”

Bosa admitted he initially had no intention of celebrating but was encouraged by his defensive teammates.

During his weekly KNBR interview, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about Bosa’s celebration after the sack. He responded enthusiastically.

“I don’t know what the Trump dance is, but it would be the Trump dance,” Shanahan explained. ‘Actually it was Leonard Floyd‘s idea. And if you look at them, Leonard Floyd, when Bosa got fired, Leonard Floyd started doing it.”

According to Shanahan, Bosa then joined Floyd in the dance, quickly followed by other defensive teammates.

“Leonard egged them all on, and then they followed, and it was pretty cool to see,” Shanahan added.

The head coach was also asked about a critical moment late in the game when Bosa almost sacked Mayfield, but he saw the quarterback complete a pass to running back Rachaad White for a first down while in the pass rusher’s grasp.

“It was incredible,” Shanahan said. “… It was 4th and 7, I knew the game came down to that play. I look at the whole thing, look at the coverage, see everyone covered. Then I look right out to the backfield, and Bosa got him locked up. And I know he can’t escape it, and I didn’t think he could throw the ball like that. You probably can’t see it outside of me, but inside I’m already partying. Oh, this is over.’ And then he made the most incredible throw. This shows how strong he is.

“But when I talked to Nick, he had both hands on his bicep, so he had him locked up. Nick didn’t think he could throw from that spot. And what Bosa was concerned about, you hold his arm and pull him, and if you want to tackle him, and all you have is his arm, you have to let go for half a second and then wrap your arms around his body or grab him so you can take him down. And he knew had him, and he was afraid that if he let go for half a second he could make the throw.

“So he just wanted to keep holding that arm instead of just giving him half a second to do it. And somehow, Baker, and just the competitor that he is, the strength that he has, he found a way to still pull that off and made a great play.”

The 49ers managed to escape with a 23-20 victory. Next up, Shanahan and his team will face the Seattle Seahawks. A win on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium would mark the 49ers’ third straight victory and solidify their push for a playoff spot.