Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn uses a signature "goggles" celebration to raise awareness for children who wear protective eyewear during sports [4].
The gesture transforms a standard goal celebration into a public health message. By mimicking the act of putting on goggles, McGinn aims to reduce the social stigma associated with children wearing protective gear in football [4].
McGinn first performed the celebration during a 3-2 [1] defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2021 [1]. He later repeated the gesture during a 3-1 [2] victory over Nottingham Forest in 2023 [2]. The midfielder also used the celebration during a Scotland World Cup qualifying match in March 2024 [3].
The inspiration for the move comes from his nephew, Jack [4]. McGinn said the celebration is intended to be a way to have fun after scoring while simultaneously supporting children who require specialized eyewear [4].
The celebration has become a recognizable part of McGinn's persona both at the club level and as the captain of the Scotland national team. He performed the gesture again after Scotland secured automatic qualification for the World Cup [3].
While some reports suggested the celebration was restricted during certain qualifying matches, other accounts indicate McGinn continued the practice without interference [3]. The gesture remains a recurring element of his appearances at Aston Villa's home stadium, and during international fixtures in Scotland [1, 2, 3].
“McGinn aims to reduce the social stigma associated with children wearing protective gear in football”
By leveraging his platform as a high-profile athlete and national team captain, McGinn is using a repetitive visual cue to normalize medical accessories in youth sports. This approach targets the psychological barriers and bullying children often face when wearing protective gear, potentially increasing participation rates for children with visual impairments or specific medical needs.
