UIW wide receiver reveals origins of viral touchdown celebration

It's the NFL celebration sensation. The headstand after a touchdown.

It started right here in San Antonio by a UIW football player who turned the football world on its head.

No doubt you've seen it by now.

After his 12th touchdown of the season, UIW junior wide receiver Jalen Walthall turned the football world on its head.

“I think it was pretty cool, pretty fire,” Walthall said. “I would give myself a 9 out of 10.”

Walthall's celebration against Houston Christian quickly became a viral sensation.

On Sunday, NFL receivers acknowledged Walthall's celebration.

And as the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

“I think Amon-Ra [St. Brown] did pretty well,” Walthall said. “Uh, Drake London, I appreciate the effort, but we can work on it.”

Jalen never thought it would take off like it did.

“It's always been a dream for me to make it to this point, and even seeing that I've done it gives me even more motivation,” Walthall said.

“I had never seen Jalen Walthall stand on his head before Saturday,” UIW head coach Clint Killough said. “He has real creativity and is pretty athletic, so he can do a lot of different things.”

So where did the inspiration for the topsy-turvy celebration come from?

“Watching movies, Stomp the Yard,” Walthall explained. “It’s a classic move.”

While headstands were not flagged in the NFL, the perpetrator received a 15-yard penalty.

“It is what it is,” Walthall said. “You have to live with it.”

“I gave the referee my opinion,” Killough said. “I think the flag was just because he couldn’t do it himself.”

Walthall is only a senior in college, and he already has his trademark.

“I’m all for it,” Killough said. “I want them to have fun. I think that’s part of being a college football player because it’s really demanding.”

But Walthall plans to add it to a series of celebrations.

“Stay tuned, stay tuned,” said Walthall as to whether he has any more extraordinary celebrations up his sleeve. “Maybe I have something for you all.”