The “Dirty Bird” dance is a signature touchdown celebration that was popularized in the late 1990s by Jamal Anderson, a running back who played for the Atlanta Falcons from 1994 to 2001. Anderson is widely credited with inventing the dance move and making it famous during the 1998 NFL season when the Falcons went 14-2 and reached Super Bowl XXXIII.
The History of the Dirty Bird Dance
Jamal Anderson first unveiled the Dirty Bird dance on September 13, 1998 after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2 of the NFL season. The Falcons won that game in dominating fashion, 38-10. After spiking the ball, Anderson began flapping his arms up and down in a bird-like motion. He described it as mimicking a bird shaking water off its feathers. This unique end zone celebration caught people’s attention and Anderson continued to perform the Dirty Bird regularly throughout the 1998 season after scoring touchdowns.
The dance move quickly became popular with Falcons fans who would do the Dirty Bird in the stands when Anderson scored. It was associated with the team’s “Dirty Birds” nickname. Anderson had many signature touchdowns and Dirty Bird dances that year, none bigger than his game-winning touchdown against the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game which sent the Falcons to their first Super Bowl.
By the end of the 1998 season, thousands of Falcons fans were doing the Dirty Bird in the Georgia Dome stands. It transcended football to become a cultural phenomenon in Atlanta and the dance even made an appearance in pop culture. In 1999, Anderson choreographed a video for the song “The Dirty Bird” by R&B group Dirty featuring several Falcons players dancing. The novelty song received radio airplay that offseason.
Jamal Anderson’s NFL Career
Jamal Anderson was drafted by the Falcons in the 7th round of the 1994 NFL Draft out of Utah. Listed at 5’11” and 215 pounds, he emerged as the Falcons’ featured back in 1997 after injuries struck their running back corps. That year Anderson had a breakout season rushing for over 1,000 yards despite starting just 11 games.
In 1998, Anderson cemented himself as one of the NFL’s top running backs with a monster season: 410 carries for 1,846 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was the engine of the Falcons’ top-ranked rushing offense that powered them to a 14-2 record. Anderson set a franchise record for carries in a season that still stands. For his efforts, he earned First-team All-Pro honors and was named to his first Pro Bowl.
The 1998 NFC Championship Game was the defining moment of Anderson’s career. Facing the 49ers, he rushed for 187 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime on a 3-yard run. His celebrate Dirty Bird dance following that TD with a Super Bowl berth on the line has become iconic in Falcons lore.
In Super Bowl XXXIII, Anderson rushed for 96 yards on only 18 carries but the Falcons lost to the Broncos 34-19. He missed most of the following 1999 season with a torn ACL suffered in Week 2. Anderson returned in 2000 but was not the same explosive back, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry. He retired after the 2001 season at age 28 due to lingering knee issues.
For his career, Jamal Anderson rushed for 5,336 yards and 34 touchdowns over just 5 seasons, all in Atlanta. His No. 32 jersey is honored by the Falcons franchise.
The Legacy of the Dirty Bird
Even though his career was cut short by injuries, Jamal Anderson’s Dirty Bird dance remains an iconic moment in NFL history. It was a signature celebration that captured the spirit and culture of the late 90s. The dance transcended football and became a part of pop culture across the nation during the Falcons’ Super Bowl run.
Over 20 years later, the Dirty Bird is still remembered fondly by Falcons fans. It represents the golden age of football in Atlanta led by Anderson and the “Dirty Birds” Falcons. Today when Atlanta scores a touchdown, it’s common to see fans pay homage by doing the Dirty Bird dance in the stands.
Other NFL players have continued to do versions of the Dirty Bird over the years as a tribute to Anderson’s signature move. Falcons running back Devonta Freeman brought it back as his own TD celebration when he broke out for the Falcons from 2015-2020. The Dirty Bird dance remains intertwined with Falcons history and Anderson’s legacy in Atlanta.
Jamal Anderson’s Career Rushing Stats
| Year | Team | Rushing Attempts | Rushing Yards | Yards Per Attempt | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Atlanta Falcons | 52 | 201 | 3.9 | 3 |
| 1995 | Atlanta Falcons | 179 | 589 | 3.3 | 5 |
| 1996 | Atlanta Falcons | 167 | 648 | 3.9 | 4 |
| 1997 | Atlanta Falcons | 254 | 1,055 | 4.2 | 6 |
| 1998 | Atlanta Falcons | 410 | 1,846 | 4.5 | 14 |
| 1999 | Atlanta Falcons | 19 | 59 | 3.1 | 0 |
| 2000 | Atlanta Falcons | 324 | 1,024 | 3.2 | 4 |
| 2001 | Atlanta Falcons | 121 | 314 | 2.6 | 0 |
| Career | Atlanta Falcons | 1,526 | 5,336 | 3.5 | 34 |
Jamal Anderson’s Top Rushing Seasons
Here are Jamal Anderson’s top 3 rushing seasons for the Atlanta Falcons:
1998
- 410 rushing attempts (franchise record)
- 1,846 rushing yards (career high)
- 14 rushing TDs (career high)
- 4.5 yards per carry
- 1st Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl selection
1997
- 254 rushing attempts
- 1,055 rushing yards
- 6 rushing TDs
- 4.2 yards per carry
2000
- 324 rushing attempts
- 1,024 rushing yards
- 4 rushing TDs
- 3.2 yards per carry
Anderson’s 1998 season stands out when he helped lead the Falcons to the Super Bowl on the strength of his record-breaking year running the ball. He ran for over 100 yards in 12 of 16 regular season games that year.
Conclusion
In summary, Jamal Anderson was the running back primarily known for doing the Dirty Bird touchdown dance in the late 90s during his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons. He invented the signature dance move in 1998 and regularly performed the flapping “bird shake” celebration after scoring that season. The Dirty Bird became a phenomenon with Falcons fans and forever linked Anderson to one of the most memorable celebrations in NFL history.
