Lions Star Jahmyr Gibbs Facing Heat For 'Terrible' Tattoo

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 28: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 28, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Lions Star Jahmyr Gibbs Facing Heat For 'Terrible' Tattoo

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Apr 17, 2026 11:47 AM ET

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Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs loves getting into the endzone and has done so over 50 times in his three NFL seasons. But he also has a passion for getting back tattoos, and his new look has a lot of people raising their eyebrows.

In a recent post on Instagram, Gibbs' latest tattoo art was unveiled. It features three separate images of himself in his football uniform, a giant cross in the center, the word "GIBBS" above the cross and Sonic the Hedgehog along his neck and shoulders.

The NFL shared the image on X yesterday and proclaimed it to be "so clean." NFL fans disagreed.

Jahmyr Gibbs' new back tattoo is so clean

(via https://t.co/HrqlxpCspc.ganga/IG) pic.twitter.com/jKzgdGbm68
— NFL (@NFL) April 16, 2026

Fan Backlash (no pun intended)

As good of a job as the tattoo artist did (the work must have taken days or even weeks to complete), NFL fans were not at all amused by the tattoo, mainly because of how excessive it is. Between the Sonic eyes looking directly at people and the multiple images of himself in football gear, fans have mostly called it "trash" rather than "clean."

"3 pictures of himself, his last name, and the character he takes his nickname from…. Lmao I swear to god athletes have the worst tattoos," one user mocked.

"Bro turned his back into a Sonic the Hedgehog fan page What’s next, a chili dog tattoo on his chest?" another remarked.

"Nahhh I love Gibbs but isn’t it cringe having yourself tattooed on your own body," a third wrote.

"Getting yourself tatted on you is maybe the single most stuck up, egotistical thing I've ever seen. Even Steve-O got his as a joke. Talk about loving yourself."

"Never really took Gibbs as a guy that would get his last name, 3 pictures of himself, and a super smash bros character on his back lmao."

It's a good thing Gibbs has been such a superstar on the field since making his debut in 2023. He's a three-time Pro Bowler and led the league in touchdowns in 2024 while being a core part to the Detroit Lions' resurgence as a franchise.

But you can't please everybody.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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