Spice Adams Rubbing Hands Meme: Why It’s the Ultimate Sneaky Move Reaction

The Spice Adams rubbing hands meme, featuring the former NFL player in a yellow jacket scheming behind a tree, has become a go-to reaction for sneaky anticipation online.

Born from a 2017 Instagram skit, it captures plotting, lurking, and opportunistic vibes with universal humor. From Twitter sports banter to TikTok skits, this meme thrives across platforms, cementing Adams as a comedy legend.

Explore its origins, cultural impact, and why it outshines other scheming memes.

1. What Is the Spice Adams Rubbing Hands Meme?

What the Meme Looks Like and How It’s Used

The Spice Adams rubbing hands meme shows ex-NFL player Anthony “Spice” Adams in a bright yellow jacket from behind a tree, rubbing his hands together and smiling evilly.

This is typically a still or GIF taken from a 2017 Instagram skit and is used as an indication that a person is plotting, lurking, or preparing to take advantage of an opportunity.

It is the internet way of saying, “I am about to make a move!” – whether it is plotting for the last slice of pizza or starting the drama, it is almost a perfect secretive energy.

Is This the Internet’s Favorite Meme for Scheming Anticipation?

Absolutely. The exaggerated body language of this meme, combined with Adams’ joking smile are perfect to display sly anticipation.

It is the reaction meme for when you feel like you are about to get one up on the situation, whether it be avoiding doing things you are supposed to do, or plotting to annoy the people around you with pranks.

The content this meme can be used for is remarkable and ranges from sports, gossip, or the simple everyday; this is the meme that captures imagery of someone scheming.

2. Where Did the Meme Come From?

Original Clip – Social Media Skit by Spice Adams

The original content is a 2017 Instagram skit titled “When you the first one at the cookout”, as part of Adams comedic series, “The Love Story of Leon Lemons”.

In the skit, Adams is dressed in his character wearing a gold Brooks Brother’s jacket, and is hiding behind a tree rubbing his hands together in anticipation of stealing the best food. Adams delivers the message over the top making it meme-worthy.

The exact location, Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve in Illinois, was subsequently identified by a viral Instagram post in 2023.

Meme Ascension Timeline

By 2018, the image was adapted into a number of reaction GIFs and still images; the meme was then quickly adopted into many Twitter and Reddit threads and it grew in popularity across a lot of different contexts including sports commentary, pop culture gossip, and relatable humorous contexts.

According to Know Your Meme, the meme gained viral status due to its wide appeal and Adams’ growing social media presence, making it become a part of the meme repertoire by 2019. The meme has proven to be successful through 2025 on social media.

3. What the Meme Symbolizes in Internet Culture

Representation of Opportunistic Thinking

The Spice Adams rubbing hands meme is the quintessential visual representation of someone who recognizes an opportunity for success. It is used in contexts when you are about to exploit a scenario—you just got a steal or you are stirring the pot in a group chat.

It captures Adams’ devious look that channels anyone who feels a little devilish and creates an opportunity for great memes that depict chaos in a calculated way.

Humor Through Over-the-Top Body Language

Adams’ rubbing hands and devious face are fully recognizable even without text. The dramatic nature of who Adams is elevates the simple hand gesture in his meme to a global representation of scheming joy and satisfaction.

The humour derived from body language not only creates levity and fun for users of the meme, it can be applied to sports rivalries or relationship drama or anything else.

4. Most Popular Formats and Caption Styles

Classic Captions

The meme’s captions are where the humor shines. Popular examples include:

• “Me watching my friends argue knowing I started it”

• “When you hear your name come up in the group chat but you’re pretending to be asleep”

• “When your crush says they’re single again”

These quips pair Adams’ sneaky vibe with relatable scenarios, amplifying the meme’s comedic punch.

Remix Variants

The meme has many creative edits, such as adding sunglasses or swapping Adams for animated characters.

Another version of the meme was adapted on TikTok into POV skits with Adams’ image as the punchline, usually with some dramatic sound or trap remix music.

Many impersonation memes in this style use mashups that include Adams’ image alongside something else, continuously evolving the format.

5. Why Spice Adams Became a Meme Legend

NFL Player Turned Comedy Star

Following a nine-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, Anthony “Spice” Adams has transformed into a social media comedy sensation.

After his transition which began with Adam’s Click here to see his viral retirement speech on Youtube that debuted in 2013, Adams captured this result through relevant comedy which helped him gain a wider following beyond fandom.

As described in The New York Times, Adams’s social media memes have eclipsed the football part of his fame – both for his relatable nature.

His Relatable Characters and Physical Comedy

Adams’s yellow-jacketed character named “Leon Lemons” who rubbed his hands together sneakily, emerged as a meme icon because of its physicality.

Adams’s big expressions and relatable everyday scenarios, when combined with Leon Lemons, provided a limitless meme for audiences to relate to and use for many situations.

6. Comparison with Other Scheming or Lurking Memes

Related Formats

The Spice Adams meme shares DNA with other “plotting” memes:

• Jay-Z Behind the Tree: Captures sneaky observation, often used in gossip contexts.

• Roll Safe Pointing: Signals a clever (or misguided) plan with a finger to the temple.

• Mr. Krabs Sneaky Walk: Depicts stealthy moves, especially for comedic greed.

These formats all convey opportunistic or sneaky behavior but vary in tone and context.

Why Spice Adams’ Version Stands Out

Adams’ meme is noteworthy, as it features athletic charm, humor, and graphics. The yellow jacket and the hand-rubbing gesture is more dynamic than a Roll Safe type meme.

In addition, it is in a much broader category – we see it in all sorts of sports content, relationships, and pop culture.

7. Will the Meme Remain Relevant?

Timeless for Plotting, Lurking, and Dramatic Timing Memes

The Spice Adams rubbing hands meme is still going strong in 2025, and it’s a good thing too because it is flexible.

It can be applied across contexts, both niche like sports banter (e.g., “when your team’s rival fumbles”) and broad like relationship drama (“when you know the tea is about to spill”).

The meme remains relevant because it can grow and change with the different captions and edits.

Meme Legacy Ranking

Spice Adams ranks high among other visual reaction memes for stealthy plotting and anticipation and exists alongside iconic memes like “Drake Hotline Bling” and “Distracted Boyfriend” because it can effectively “capture a specific feeling or mood” – here willful playful bliss – and still be timeless.

Conclusion

The Spice Adams rubbing hands meme, born from a 2017 Instagram skit, has become the internet’s ultimate expression of sneaky anticipation.

Whether it’s plotting to snag the last wing at a cookout or lurking in a group chat, Adams’ yellow-jacketed grin captures the thrill of the scheme. Its spread across Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok, fueled by Adams’ comedic genius, ensures its place in meme history.

Next time you’re planning a sly move, this meme’s got your back—just don’t forget to rub your hands.