Free Bird was released by Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1973 on the band's debut album and became one of the most recognisable Southern rock songs ever, especially for its extended guitar solo. Online, short riffs from the track have become shorthand for American pride and over the top celebration. Sports editors borrow that feeling for Team USA goals, pairing the riff with crowd cheering and a victory fanfare style edit. The joke and the thrill work together, turning a single scoring play into a much bigger patriotic moment.