Justin Herbert and Madison Beer's NFL training camp video sparked a lot of debate among fans and media personalities online.
The Los Angeles Chargers quarterback faced criticism for canoodling with his fiancee, the pop star singer, following a training camp practice in Southern California. Video of the moment quickly went viral online.
“This could have led the show,” Chris Broussard said on Fox Sports 1. “This has to be a joke. Like, I mean, were they just doing that? Like, having fun? You can’t let that happen. I’m sorry. I get it. You’re in love and all that, but come on!”
He added: "That’s kissy-poo! That is not ‘you got something in your hair’ because it looks like he’s rubbing her hair, too, or something. I mean, that is footsy. […] Where’s [Chargers head coach Jim] Harbaugh? Where is he at? Mike McDaniel, I’ve been singing your praises all offseason! This is what you let happen? Come on. I’m serious. I’m not even trying to be funny.”
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.
But, according to a body language expert, NFL fans are wrong.
Dr. Abbie Maroño, a behavioral scientist who trains the U.S. Secret Service and FBI, told Outkick that NFL fans are wrong to assume that Herbert's training camp behavior with his fiancee is concerning.
Body language expert tells NFL fans they're wrong
"Being soft with your partner doesn't mean that you're being soft in competition," the body language expert said. "Real mental strength and emotional softness with your partner — they're not the opposite. That ability to be affectionate with your partner has absolutely nothing to do with how fierce you can be and how competitive you can be at work whatsoever."
She believes the interaction was normal and affectionate.
"My first reaction is that social media has taken a very normal, affectionate interaction... and if you look at the comments and the discussion, they've turned into something much bigger," the body language expert noted.
"Madison is very clearly very tactile, and she's openly very affectionate and comfortable with affection. And Justin appears more reserved. But there are some comments of 'he rejects her touch and he tries to distance himself.' And that's just not what the body language shows at all.
"They sit very close together. She faces him, she's touching his hair. She's comfortable, comfortable in his space, and the kind of touch that she shows is reserved for when we feel extremely close. It's playful, familiar, affectionate."
Ultimately, Herbert will look to let his play do the talking.
