Jameis Winston praised for classy gesture after Japan World Cup game that has become country’s unique tradition

Jun 15, 2026 - 10:00

Jameis Winston’s classy gesture captured the true spirit of the World Cup.

Despite being employed by the New York Giants, Winston appears to be launching a career in broadcasting, as many NFL stars do after retiring.

Jameis Winston #19 of the New York Giants warms up prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. — Jameis Winston has turned to broadcasting despite not ending his NFL career

The NFL quarterback shone on Netflix’s MLB debut back in March for the opening day matchup between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants.

More recently, the QB was at AT&T Stadium in Dallas as part of FOX’s World Cup coverage for the Japan vs Netherlands game.

The game itself was one of the best of the tournament so far, ending in a 2-2 draw, but it’s what happened after the final whistle that caught attention.

Winston joined a ritual that has become one of Japanese soccer’s most distinctive contributions to major international tournaments.

Jameis Winston filmed picking up trash in beautiful Japanese tradition

At each of their World Cup appearances since 1998, Japan’s fans have made headlines for cleaning up their sections after matches.

“The Japanese are taught in school to clean their school classrooms and hallways with those basic behaviours then becoming habits for the population,” wrote professor of sociology, Scott North.

“In addition to their heightened consciousness of the need to be clean and to recycle, cleaning up at events like the World Cup is a way Japanese fans demonstrate pride in their way of life and share it with the rest of us,” North said.

This is something that not only fans do, but the players as well, who often leave their dressing rooms spotless no matter the result.

On Sunday, Winston joined the clean up efforts, and was captured holding a blue trash bag that the Japanese fans brought in themselves before collecting trash.

This act caught the attention of fans on social media, who showed their love for Winston.

Jamies Winston is filmed collecting trash alongside Japanese fans — Jameis Winston helped the Japanese fans by collecting trash after their 2-2 draw with the Netherlands

Jamies Winston is captured collecting trash alongside Japanese fans — The Japanese have done this since their first World Cup appearance

View Tweet: https://x.com/Jaboowins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

“That’s class, that should be the standard across the world, well done Winston for joining in,” one fan commented.

“That’s good work from you Jamies, well done,” a second added.

“It’s so cool that Jamies did this, this should be done at every football match across the world,” a third said.

“A lovely gesture from the fans and Jamies, really selfless – great stuff,” a fourth commented.

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Japan’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands gave the clean up effort a bigger backdrop given the intense drama the game delivered.

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring for the Netherlands before Keito Nakamura answered for Japan. The Dutch once again took the lead but Daichi Kamada struck late from a corner to secure Japan a crucial point in Group F.

Winston did not need to become part of the story, but by picking up trash alongside supporters he became part of one of the World Cup’s most admired and respected traditions.