What appeared to be New York Jets rookie wide receiver Malachi Corleys first career NFL touchdown quickly turned from a joyous moment into a nightmare.
On Thursday, the Jets hosted the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium – and it didnt take long for something sinister to happen on Halloween night. During the first play of the second quarter, quarterback Aaron Rodgers faked a handoff to running back Breece Hall and flipped the ball to Corley on a reverse end-around.
The creative play worked to perfection, as Corley was escorted 19 yards by several Jets blockers and waltzed into the end zone untouched. Yet moments before crossing the goal line, he let go of the ball, which proceeded to roll out of bounds.
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Upon further review, officials overturned the initial call of a touchdown, instead ruling it a fumble and touchback. The Texans regained possession, but were unable to do anything on the ensuing drive, going three-and-out.
Since being selected by the Jets in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Corley has struggled to make an impact at the professional level. Entering play Thursday night, he had reeled in just one catch for four yards – and was only active thanks to Allen Lazard being sidelined with a lingering chest injury.
Taking to social media, fans slammed the Jets for making yet another costly mistake in a season filled with them. Team has zero discipline. Unbelievable. Better to forfeit the game and let the fans go home early, one X user wrote, with another adding: This is one of those things that should happen once (with Desean Jackson) and never again. How this is still happening baffles me.
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This shockingly isnt the first time this season that an NFL player has nearly committed the exact same mental gaffe. Just last week, Atlanta Falcons star tight end Kyle Pitts reeled in a 49-yard touchdown catch – his second of the game – in a 31-26 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As Pitts neared the end zone, however, he began to slow down and place his arm behind his body – allowing for safety Antoine Winfield Jr. to strip the ball. Though a slow-motion replay clearly showed that the 24-year-old didnt cross the plan prior to losing possession, officials didnt overturn the call – instead upholding the touchdown.
Speaking to reporters during a post-game press conference, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles revealed officials informed him that they didnt have a clear side view of it. The excuse wasnt well received by ex-Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who slammed the NFL for a lack of camera coverage.
I dont understand why this is such a problem, he said on the Pat McAfee Show. A camera could easily be mounted on the sideline just like they have in tennis – on the end lines and the sidelines. Or just build a stand and put it on there.
I cant imagine money is a problem. The NFL has plenty of money. They can have a car wash and raise money if money is a problem.
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