With the Red Bulls atop the MLS’ Eastern Conference and preparing to host FC Dallas Sunday, captain Thierry Henry is all over the internet – not for a spectacular play or a golazo, but for his demure goal celebration that has taken on the titular name “Henrying.”
Think Tebowing, with a twist.
The Red Bulls’ French superstar scored in the last two games – both New York victories – and had the same celebration: Walk to the goalpost, lean up against as he relaxes, content in his work; hand on his hip and head down in a casual manner as if to say “Not having a go, but you know I have scored before.’’
Twitter promptly erupted with Photoshopped variants under the hashtag #henrying, including ones inspired by Game of Thrones, Star Wars, the Statue of Liberty, Iwo Jima and of course, Miley Cyrus’ famous twerking performance.
“This morning, yes, the guys showed me some of the pictures. It’s kind of funny at the end of the day,’’ said Henry, who claimed there was no preconceived celebration, just 35-year-old legs that needed a rest after scoring. “There is nothing behind the celebration. I know you guys were laughing about it, but it’s true. I needed a rest,’’ Henry said Friday after practice. “I stopped there, saw the post in Houston; saw the post the other day, was basically by it, so I stopped by it. Now everyone is doing stuff in internet with it.”
Which his Red Bull teammates were all too happy to show him, good-natured ribbing.
“I am happy, pleased. It’s funny. I didn’t see all of them. I saw a couple of them,’’ said Henry, who struggled to pick out a favorite. “I didn’t see all of them. I saw the one with Muhammad Ali, I would guess. It’s funny overall, that’s how I would put it.’’