Colts’ Jonathan Taylor sends clear message to media, NFL about tea celebration in London

During their Week 4 game against the Washington Commanders in London, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor scored a crucial touchdown in the first half of the match. In celebration, Taylor sat down and sipped from a cup of tea, a gesture that caught the attention of NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo. Garafolo publicly urged the league not to discipline Taylor, citing a previous fine imposed on 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk for a similar celebration involving an "invisible beverage."

As the game progressed and media members and fans debated the potential consequences for Taylor, the running back clarified his intentions during his post-game remarks. In response to a report shared by James Boyd on X, Taylor humorously confirmed, "That was tea!" When discussing his royal wave celebration following his second touchdown, Taylor expressed his respect for the host city by stating, "I have to show my respect."

Given the NFL's history of fining players for pretending to drink various beverages during celebrations, a double-check confirmed that Taylor was indeed enjoying tea during his festivities. Taylor's performance played a significant role in jump-starting the struggling Indianapolis offense, which had faced a bumpy start, including an odd fumble by the quarterback on the opening drive.

Taylor's tea sips and royal waves added an international flair to the game and provided a much-needed offensive boost for his team, ultimately contributing to their hard-fought victory.