Live Feed Update: Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. Sparks Controversy with Celebratory Jab at Shane Beamer
In a dramatic moment during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on January 2, 2025, Ole Miss wide receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. appeared to mock his former coach, Shane Beamer, during a touchdown celebration. Wells, who transferred from South Carolina to Ole Miss after the 2023 season, delivered a standout performance against Duke, including a 32-yard touchdown that ignited the controversy.
The Celebration That Turned Heads
After scoring the touchdown, Wells mimicked being restrained by a teammate—an apparent reference to an incident earlier this week involving Shane Beamer. In that incident, Beamer had to be physically held back during a heated exchange with Illinois head coach Bret Bielema in the Citrus Bowl.
A History of Frustration
Wells’s gesture is being widely interpreted as a jab at his former coach, with whom tensions have lingered since his departure from South Carolina. Upon transferring, Wells publicly criticized the Gamecocks’ program, stating he wanted to play with a quarterback who could “actually control the offense” and be part of a winning team.
This celebration has reignited those tensions, adding fuel to the ongoing narrative surrounding Wells’s dissatisfaction with South Carolina and its leadership.
Reactions Pour In
Fans and analysts are divided over the incident. Some see it as a playful taunt, while others view it as a sign of unresolved animosity between Wells and Beamer. Sports commentator Brad Crawford captured the moment on social media, sparking a wave of discussion.
“Was this a mock of Shane Beamer vs. Bret Bielema from former Gamecocks WR Juice Wells?” Crawford asked in his tweet, accompanied by a video of the celebration.
For many, the moment added an extra layer of intrigue to Ole Miss’s bowl game performance, turning Wells into a focal point of post-game conversations.
Stay tuned for more updates as reactions to this incident continue to unfold!
