Audio By Carbonatix
As soon as Cam Ward was selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, all of Nashville collectively put its left hand over its mouth and extended its right hand outward with a limp shake. The Tennessee Titans will very soon be introduced to their new quarterback’s viral celebration if they are not already.
Where does it come from? What does it mean?
For those who are not familiar, Cam Ward went extremely viral during his senior season of college football at Miami. He holds his left hand over his mouth, extends his right arm out in front of him, and shakes his hand upside down after he or one of his receivers finds the end zone.
It quickly became one of the most popular celebrations in all of sports. Football players on all levels — from Pop Warner to the NFL — broke out the ‘Cam Ward’ last fall.
Cam Ward Is A Trendsetter. The Zombieland 🫢🫳🏾 Is Taking Over Worldwide 🌎. #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/Uit7TUqfyz
— Florida Boy Corey 🌴🍊🌊☀️ (@floridaboycorey) October 11, 2024
Everybody was doing it. Even in hockey!
Cam Ward Cellys at Amerant Bank??
— Ryan Sobol (@Sobolslam) October 8, 2024
Ya we’re going back to back pic.twitter.com/NP4KrGkPdJ
This kind of celebration did not just ~come to exist~ overnight. It is something that has existed at Western Kentucky since August of 2022. The Hilltoppers made sure to set the record straight.
the birth of zombieland 🫢🫳
— WKU Football (@WKUFootball) October 11, 2024
(August 27, 2022) https://t.co/upqTM6Nl5K pic.twitter.com/PrCjZyrP4M
And to be fair, so did Ward! Kind of. He refuses to take credit for the celebration but he did not pay homage to its origin. Only Ben Arbuckle (currently at Oklahoma) got credit.
Arbuckle previously served as the offensive coordinator in Bowling Green when the ‘Zombieland’ celebration was born. He brought it with him to Washington State and introduced the celebration to his quarterback— Ward. Western Kentucky deserves its shine!
Just here to provide the facts #zombieland 🧟♂️ #GoTops pic.twitter.com/8tsKOYCA2q
— Lauren Floyd (@LaurenFloydTV) October 12, 2024
Cam Ward knew the celebration was going to be a hit when one of his defensive teammates threw it right back in his face after a big play during practice. The rest is history.
What is currently known as the ‘Cam Ward’ celebration should actually be known as the Hilltoppers’ ‘Zombieland’ celebration. No matter who is responsible, NFL fans in the Volunteer state will be throwing their hand over their mouths at every opportunity for the foreseeable future. The Titans have a quarterback and their quarterback has a viral celebration. At the very least, it is going to be fun!