Giants QB Jaxson Dart's Unexpected Gesture Toward Referee Catches Attention

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Madz Dizon | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 12:24 AM ET

New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart gave football fans a moment to remember during Thursday Night Football when he accidentally shared a high-five with a referee and the internet can’t stop talking about it.

A video posted on X showed Dart turning toward an official who had his hand raised during a stoppage. Without missing a beat, the 22-year-old quarterback reached out and slapped the ref’s hand, giving him a playful high-five.

The clip immediately went viral, drawing laughter from both fans in the stands and those watching from home.

“I saw the high five in real time at the stadium and was dying,” one fan commented.

Another wrote, “I’m liking Jaxson Dart more and more every week.”

“Dart is out there ballin’ and having fun he’s becoming one of my favorite players lol,” a user said.

Jaxson Dart saw the ref with his hand up in the air, so he gave him a high-five. https://t.co/nNE4zHZHWt pic.twitter.com/Kv44g2noL7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 10, 2025

Others added, “That only made me like Dart more. Glad I wasn’t the only one to notice."

“How do you not love this kid lol," a fan chimed.

One fan simply summed up the sentiment: “Wow he’s so funny .”

The funny moment came during Dart’s first-ever primetime start as the Giants hosted the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. Despite the pressure, Dart looked confident from the very first snap.

In the opening drives, he had already run for a 20-yard touchdown and thrown a 35-yard TD pass to Wan’Dale Robinson, giving New York an early lead.

His on-field stats backed up the hype. Before halftime, Dart had completed 10 of 12 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, while also adding a rushing score. It was the kind of poise that earned him the Giants’ new nickname, “Primetime Dart.”

Dart’s strong night took a scary turn in the third quarter when he went down hard after a sack by Eagles defensive lineman Patrick Johnson. Fans held their breath as the rookie stayed on the turf for a few minutes.

But the crowd cheered as Dart got up, jogged off the field, and headed straight to the blue medical tent for a concussion check. Backup QB Russell Wilson briefly took over, though his first incomplete throw was met with boos from the home fans.

Moments later, reports confirmed Dart had cleared concussion protocol and was ready to return.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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