It took less than three minutes for Jack Hughes to score the OT game-winning goal to give the 2026 USA Men’s Hockey Team the gold medal for the first time since 1980. The outpouring of celebration wasn’t just contained to the Olympic or hockey world as NFL players took to social media to praise the newly golden squad.
NFL Stars Celebrate USA Men’s Hockey Winning Gold
Tom Brady didn’t waste any time in posting a picture where he is posing with Jack and Quinn Hughes and a single word to let the world know how he felt: “LEGENDS.”
That is high praise coming from the quarterback who defined what a legend is during his time in the NFL.
LEGENDS 🥇 @usahockey pic.twitter.com/R1BUGBPDmC
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 22, 2026
Former Washington Redskins superstar Robert Griffin IIIÂ took a different approach with his celebratory X post. Griffin claimed it was karma that helped the USA win gold, stating, “Canada cheating to win Curling Gold, cost them the Olympic Gold in Hockey. The ice don’t lie.”
Canada cheating to win Curling Gold, cost them the Olympic Gold in Hockey. The ice don’t lie.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 22, 2026
Pat McAfee, former punter for the Indianapolis Colts and current host of the wildly popular “The Pat McAfee Show,” showed himself cheering and jumping on his patio following the overtime victory. “OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL COMES HOME” posted McAfee, with a flurry of American flags following.
LETS GOOOOOO USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) February 22, 2026
NFL quarterbacks, current and retired, sang the praises of the resilient squad that had just taken gold for the first time since the fabled “Miracle On Ice”.
Chase Daniels had a “LETS GOOOOOO USA” to show his support, while Patrick Mahomes was more contained, posting three American flags immediately following the tension-filled winning goal.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) February 22, 2026
Kurt Warner, the quarterback from the Greatest Show on Turf, was jubilant as he basked in the golden light, sending “USA MEN’s HOCKEY!!!! What a game!!!” with a gold medal emoji to cap it off.
US MEN’s HOCKEY!!!! 🥇 What a game!!!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) February 22, 2026
Will Compton, outspoken on his “Bussin With The Boys” podcast, couldn’t stop chanting “USA” over and over as he joyfully reacted to the gold medal win.
USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸— Will Compton (@_willcompton) February 22, 2026
David Lombardi, of the SF Standard, made his thoughts quite clear on the results, posting “The better country won” with a single American flag closing it out.
The better country won 🇺🇸
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) February 22, 2026
From The 33rd Team FB, Ari Meirov put a video of the game-winner on X, along with the way the moment touched him, “I’m not an avid hockey guy, but this is one of the coolest sports moments I’ll never forget.”
I’m not an avid hockey guy, but this is one of the coolest sports moments I’ll never forget. pic.twitter.com/Mw4JeXikCu https://t.co/CHnc0MD4pJ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 22, 2026
Former NFL quarterback and current insider, Dan Orlovsky, was wrapped up in the magic of the moment. “The boys did it. Amazing moment. Pure guts all game,” was how Orlovsky put it, capturing the emotion of the win.
The boys did it. Amazing moment. Pure guts all game. https://t.co/CbwE6ryraE
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) February 22, 2026
Never one to shy away from a big moment, San Francisco 49ers tight end, George Kittle, told everyone to start playing Free Bird as they celebrated the victory: “USA PLAY FREE BIRD!!!!!”
USA PLAY FREE BIRD!!!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— George Kittle (@gkittle46) February 22, 2026
Whether current or former NFL players, insiders, and pundits all took a moment to recognize the thrilling finish provided by two powerhouse national teams.
While the Miracle will always stand as one of the greatest sports moments, Sunday’s gold medal result won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
