One benefit of the current Green Bay Packers team including so many young players is that they have a very prominent social media presence, which is especially fun for younger fans who utilize social media platforms like TikTok. However, while the use of social media in football culture may be more modern, it can also sometimes connect back to established traditions.
Green Bay Packers TikTok Preserving NFL Tradition
@packers I love secret handshakes. I hope to be a part of one someday #packers #nflfootball #gopackgo #theoffice #handshakes ♬ Still Overcome – Universal Production Music
The above video shows Packers players interacting with each other on the field, all engaging in different secret handshakes. As different pairs of players meet, we get to see that each handshake comes with different, elaborate moves depending on the two players at hand. All the players featured in the video appear happy and excited to be engaging in the handshakes with each other. Overall, it seems to be a fun way for players to bond out on the the field.
The caption of the video also demonstrates how many Packers fans are likely to feel about the video: “I love secret handshakes. I hope to be a part of one someday.” A secret handshake represents a bond between two people that only they share. Being able to share such a bond with a Packers player is an absolute dream for many fans!
The Art of the Elaborate NFL Handshake
The act of sharing secret handshakes is not unique to the Green Bay Packers, but is instead part of a larger NFL tradition. The YouTube channel NFL Films created a video on exactly this subject, titled “The Art of the Elaborate Handshake,” which features a variety of different teams engaging in the practice.
In the video, author Dr. Dimitris Xygalatas characterizes the handshakes as “spontaneous ritualization,” meaning it serves no direct functional purpose, but instead acts as a symbol of a player’s “in group” status. In layman’s terms, only two players on the same team will know the team’s specific handshake, so being able to engage in the handshake with your team solidifies the group bond that players have with each other.
With this added context in mind, the TikTok featuring Green Bay Packers players sharing specific handshakes with each other becomes more than just a silly video. It is instead a demonstration of these player’s commitment both to the bond they are building with each other, as well as the preservation of this long standing NFL tradition.
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