Australian Olympian Rachael Gunn, better known as Raygun, was thrilled when she saw Minnesota Vikings safety Cam Bynum paying homage to her famous breakdancing routine during an NFL game. The safety’s performance was a nod to Gunn’s incredible moves that had made her a viral sensation at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The moment took place late in the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s 12-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on Sunday. After intercepting a pass from Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones, Bynum broke into a celebratory dance, mimicking the signature moves that Raygun had wowed the world with during her Olympic debut.
The interception was Bynum’s third of the season, but it was his dance moves that caught everyone’s attention.
Gunn, who has a large following on social media, quickly shared her excitement over Bynum’s tribute. She posted a video of his celebration to her Instagram Story, writing, “This is WILD! Love it, Cam Bynum!” The Olympian was clearly delighted by the recognition, and her fans were just as enthusiastic.
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Bynum also seemed to enjoy the spotlight. He reposted photos and videos of his Raygun-inspired celebration on his own Instagram Story, adding the caption “10/10” along with several medal emojis to express his appreciation.
In another post, Bynum added a series of goat and kangaroo emojis, nodding to Gunn’s status as a top athlete and her Australian roots.
The side-by-side photo of Bynum’s moves and Gunn’s original routine made it clear that the NFL star was paying genuine respect to the Olympian.
Raygun’s journey to fame has been filled with ups and downs. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gunn became a viral sensation for her explosive and innovative breakdancing performance. Despite capturing the attention of fans worldwide, she faced harsh scrutiny after failing to score a single point in her three rounds during the Round Robin portion of the B-girl competition.
The outcome led to social media trolling, but Gunn stood by her performance, emphasizing that the Olympics was just one part of her journey as a dancer.
Over the weekend, Gunn made a surprise appearance alongside fellow Aussie artist Tones And I during a concert in Melbourne. The crowd erupted with excitement as Gunn took the stage, delivering an energetic breakdancing performance that reminded everyone why she became a breakout star in the first place. Her infectious energy captivated the audience, further solidifying her place in the hearts of her fans.
On Sunday, Gunn addressed rumors about her future as a professional breakdancer.
During an appearance on Australia’s “Today” show on 9 New Australia, she clarified that she has no intention of retiring, despite recent reports suggesting otherwise. “So I was talking, you know, on ‘2dayFM’ [on Sydney radio] about how I’m not going to do certain competitions anymore, which didn’t seem like such a big deal because breaking is not going to be in the Olympics (at LA 2028) anyway,” Gunn explained. “But, you know, I’m still going to be part of community jams, or I’d like to go to community jams and still dance and still break—never used the word ‘retire.’ But, you know, it just caught on to the news cycle.”
Gunn went on to confirm her stance during the interview when “Today” host Sarah Abdo directly asked her if she was retiring. “You try and stop me. I’m not ever going to stop dancing,” Gunn declared emphatically. “So if you hear that again, you know that it’s not the truth.”
Gunn further elaborated on her passion for breakdancing, emphasizing that for her, breaking is a lifestyle. “You can’t retire from culture,” she said. “You can’t retire from an art form. So that’s why I’m never going to stop.” Her comments reflect her deep love for the art of breaking, which she views as far more than just a competitive pursuit.
Despite the rumors, Gunn made it clear that she is simply stepping back from some competitions, not leaving the scene altogether. During a radio interview on “The Jimmy and Nath Show” on Australia’s 2DayFM, Gunn shared that she was no longer interested in competing. “I still break, but I don’t compete. I’m not gonna compete anymore,” she said.
She also spoke about the “level of scrutiny” she faced after her Olympic debut in Paris, describing the experience as “really difficult.” The intense public attention may have influenced her decision to step back from certain competitions, but it has not diminished her love for the art form.
Gunn’s statement about retiring first sparked controversy when she appeared on Australia’s “The Project” on Friday, where she denied that she was done with professional breaking.
Instead, Gunn is focused on continuing her journey in other ways—whether that means participating in community jams, dancing onstage with fellow artists, or just living her passion for breaking on her own terms.
For Raygun, dancing is more than a sport—it’s a way of life.
Her resilience in the face of public scrutiny and her love for the art form have inspired many, including NFL players like Cam Bynum, who was eager to honor her with his own take on her iconic routine.
Gunn’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of setbacks and criticism, passion and perseverance can lead to moments of genuine connection and joy, both on the Olympic stage and beyond.
