Beyoncé's NFL halftime show has caused some division amongst viewers after she performed a banned gesture during her performance.
Of all the news stories to come out of the NFL Christmas Day fixtures last night, who’d have that Beyoncé would be the biggest focus?
Now I say it, it actually seems very likely.
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Donning a white cowboy hat and bedazzled bodysuit, Queen Bee pulled up during the half-time of the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens game, which was broadcast on Netflix, to perform a medley of her hits - including '16 Carriages,' 'Blackbird,' 'Levii’s Jeans' and 'Texas Hold’ Em' from her critically-acclaimed 'Cowboy Carter' album.
However, the singer pulled a move that saw some viewers get a bit miffed about during her performance of 'Texas Hold' Em'.
The gesture in question was a finger gun - using her thumb, index or middle finger to mimic a gun - while the words 'Bang' were revealed behind her.
Whilst this may seem harmless, it is a gesture that would ordinarily earn any NFL athlete a fine, which was pointed out on Twitter by one person.
They said: “Is the @NFL going to fine @Beyonce for finger guns?!'”
Another said: “Was thinking the same thing!! How many players were fined for that?'”
A third went even further, saying: “Queen Bey's tone-deaf finger gun display at Netflix's Christmas game highlights celebrity privilege, while NFL players get fined for basic touchdown celebrations.
"The performance, her first since husband Jay-Z's legal troubles made headlines, seemed more focused on controversy than Christmas spirit, complete with mock shootouts at a family event.
"Looks like the self-proclaimed Queen of Texas just proved there's one set of rules for celebrities and another for everyone else - even in her hometown stadium."
Previously, Deshaun Watson and David Njoku, both of the Cleveland Browns, have been fined over $10,000 for the gesture.
Roger Goodell, the NFL’s commissioner, said of the gesture prior: "Troy [Vincent] had a direct conversation with the union, I think, just last week about it. We're going to continue on that focus.
“We don't think it's appropriate in those circumstances and sends the wrong messages. So, we'll continue to do that.”
Troy Vincent, an NFL executive, also previously said: “There’s no place in professional football for that.
“Think about where we are as a society… I don’t think that’s where we are and what we’re trying to represent. We have a responsibility as professional athletes”.
LADbible Group has reached out to Beyoncé's representatives for comment.
Topics: Beyonce, Celebrity, Entertainment, NFL, Netflix
Michael Slavin