Jan 9, 2011; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Movie actress Lindsay Lohan watches the game between the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New York Knicks 109-87. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE.
Minnesota Vikings’ on-the-field celebrations have caught the attention of Hollywood.
Six weeks ago, the Vikings toppled the New York Jets in London, and during the win, safety Camryn Bynum copied a handshake from the 1998 film The Parent Trap.
And on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show recently, Lindsay Lohan called out the handshake, a signature part of the 1998 movie in which she starred.
Fallon showed the clip on the telecast, and Lohan opined, “It was the coolest thing. So cool. It’s so cool to do a movie like The Parent Trap and cross over into sports players doing it. It’s such a cool feeling. And that’s not an easy handshake to learn. It’s pretty … there’s a lot of steps.”
Bynum saw The Tonight Show’s tweet on Monday, which featured his London celebration, accompanied by fellow safety Josh Metellus.
Bynum said about the celebration in October, “We’re on a generational celebration run right now. Three weeks in a row, we’ve had some fire celebrations. This might have been one of my favorites because that’s one of my favorite movies, and it’s based in London. As soon as I knew we were playing in London, I watched that movie last week, I’m like this is it. My mindset is I gotta have something ready every week.”
Meanwhile, Bynum is becoming increasingly renowned for his celebrations. Eight days ago, his team snuffed out the Jacksonville Jaguars 12-7, and to seal the game, Bynum intercepted a pass from Jaguars passer Mac Jones. He then hit another celebration, mimicking break dancing from the Summer Olympics, courtesy of Raygun, who became notorious for the jig.
Bynum is under contract with the Vikings for seven more games, scheduled to hit free agency in March. ESPN’s Dan ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently wrote about his impending free agency: “What we’re hearing: Minnesota has made efforts to extend Bynum, who is a natural successor to Harrison Smith as the Vikings’ leader in the secondary. Smith turns 36 in February. Five safeties make at least $16 million per year, and Bynum, whose value is rising after three interceptions and eight passes defensed this season, will look to become the sixth. The Vikings believe they are in a good place with him as far as a long-term working relationship.”
It’s worth noting that Minnesota’s front office and Bynum’s representation have maintained cordial deliberations during his contract extensions, and there’s a decent chance he’ll return in 2025 and beyond.
If not, which Viking would be shouted on The Tonight Show?
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.