Sophie Cunningham’s Viral DeWanna Bonner Moment Earns Tom Brady’s America 250 Nod Months After Fever Star’s ‘Botox’ Comment About Him

Sophie Cunningham’s finger-point at DeWanna Bonner has taken on a life of its own since it first went viral. What was a 22-second stare-down on the court has since turned into one of the most shared gestures on the internet, and it’s still finding new fans weeks later.

It started with an Instagram page, @nochill, sharing an edit that placed Cunningham’s pointing gesture onto an Uncle Sam figure to mark America’s 250th birthday on July 4.

“As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, we honor the generations who built this nation and the values of freedom, resilience, and opportunity that continue to inspire us,” the caption read. Cunningham reposted the edit to her own story, adding two American flag emojis.

That post is also how the gesture found its way to seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. Brady shared his own version on his Instagram story, captioned simply, “Happy 4th of July to you,” giving Cunningham’s gesture a new level of reach well outside the WNBA.

But none of that would exist without what actually happened on the court two weeks earlier.

During Indiana’s June 22 win over Phoenix, Caitlin Clark and DeWanna Bonner tangled up near the baskets. Officials called a technical foul on Clark, following which, Cunningham walked over to argue the call. She asked the referees why Bonner hadn’t been hit with one too. Bonner snapped back, saying, “Don’t you point at me.” But Cunningham did exactly that, holding her finger on Bonner for 22 straight seconds. Both players ended up with technicals, and Indiana won the game 86-77.

That’s the moment the internet couldn’t let go of. Since then, it’s stopped being just a basketball clip.

Conor McGregor, John Cena, Brittany Mahomes, the Atlanta Falcons, and even the official White House account have all used the gesture in some form. Brady picking it up isn’t the first time his neck has crossed paths with Cunningham’s either. That history goes back almost a year.

Aug 7, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) reacts alongside Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (14) in the first half of a WNBA game at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

On the debut episode of her podcast Show Me Something back in July 2025, co-host West Wilson mentioned he’d recently met Brady in person. Cunningham didn’t hold back.

“How much Botox does he have?” Cunningham said. “I think I like more of a manly man. I don’t want my man having Botox.”

That line has aged into an odd footnote next to Brady now joining in on her viral moment a year later. But when it comes to the meme itself, Cunningham isn’t treating it as some kind of personal brand.

Sophie Cunningham Makes Her Feelings Known on the Viral Edits of Her Gesture

Cunningham has called the whole thing “the stupidest thing” she’s ever done. And she has said so more than once since the clip took off.

“It’s so goofy,” Cunningham had said in a recent interview uploaded by the Indiana Fever’s YouTube channel. “It’s getting worldwide views now, and so it’s been fun to see.”

“Is that my whole identity, and is that what I’m thriving on? No,” the Fever guard added. “It’s funny, but I don’t care. I think people are funny, people are dumb, and let them do them. I’m just going to stay in my lane.”

That response tracks with how she’s handled the rest of it. Social media attention built this fast can flip just as quickly. And Cunningham seems to be well aware of that. But for now, she’s letting the internet run wild with it while she turns her focus back to her second season in Indiana.

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