You’d think by now, football players at all levels would know to not drop the ball before they cross the goal line.
DeSean Jackson did it in 2008 with the Philadelphia Eagles, and it became an immediate blooper played over and over again. Yet, players still do it.
New York Jets rookie Malachi Corley had to feel sick about it on Thursday night. On his second career touch in the NFL, he took an end-around and ran 18 yards against the Houston Texans for what should have been his first career touchdown. That’s a major life moment. But Corley dropped the ball before he crossed the goal line.
A review showed Corley let go of the ball before he scored, but there had to be a conclusion to the play since it was live. Had the Jets picked it up, it would have been a touchdown. But the ball rolled slowly out of the back of the end zone. The Texans took over on a touchback.
Corley made a mistake and it’s one he’ll live with for a long time. Instead of the third-round draft pick celebrating a huge accomplishment, he was on the sideline with angry coaches and teammates while viewers went on social media to talk about what a dumb mistake the rookie made. It’s a mistake that you’ll see here and there, when it’s practically inexcusable any time, particularly after Jackson’s infamous mistake 16 years ago.
Luckily, it didn’t cost the Jets a win. New York beat the Texans 21-13.
“Definitely frustrated and angry but what an amazing opportunity for this kid to grow and learn from,” Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said after the game.
Plain Text Version:
You’d think by now, football players at all levels would know to not drop the ball before they cross the goal line.
DeSean Jackson did it in 2008 with the Philadelphia Eagles, and it became an immediate blooper played over and over again. Yet, players still do it.
New York Jets rookie Malachi Corley had to feel sick about it on Thursday night. On his second career touch in the NFL, he took an end-around and ran 18 yards against the Houston Texans for what should have been his first career touchdown. That’s a major life moment. But Corley dropped the ball before he crossed the goal line.
A review showed Corley let go of the ball before he scored, but there had to be a conclusion to the play since it was live. Had the Jets picked it up, it would have been a touchdown. But the ball rolled slowly out of the back of the end zone. The Texans took over on a touchback.
Corley made a mistake and it’s one he’ll live with for a long time. Instead of the third-round draft pick celebrating a huge accomplishment, he was on the sideline with angry coaches and teammates while viewers went on social media to talk about what a dumb mistake the rookie made. It’s a mistake that you’ll see here and there, when it’s practically inexcusable any time, particularly after Jackson’s infamous mistake 16 years ago.
Luckily, it didn’t cost the Jets a win. New York beat the Texans 21-13.
“Definitely frustrated and angry but what an amazing opportunity for this kid to grow and learn from,” Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said after the game.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to our special interview today! We’re discussing a notable incident from a recent NFL game involving New York Jets rookie Malachi Corley. Joining us is esteemed football analyst and former player, Dr. Samuel Grant. Dr. Grant, thank you for being here.
Dr. Samuel Grant (DSG): Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the intricacies of the game.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. Could you walk us through what happened with Malachi Corley during the Jets’ game against the Texans?
DSG: Absolutely. Corley was on what should have been a triumphant play—his first career touchdown after an impressive end-around run of 18 yards. However, in an unfortunate misstep, he dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line, which negated the touchdown and resulted in a touchback for the Texans.
TNE: It’s shocking that players still make such mistakes, especially considering the infamous case of DeSean Jackson back in 2008! What do you think this says about player awareness and focus during critical moments?
DSG: It highlights a crucial aspect of football psychology—pressure. While players are trained extensively and know the rules, the intensity of the moment can cloud judgment. Corley likely let the excitement of the play override his focus on the fundamentals. He’s not the first, and he certainly won’t be the last to make this kind of mistake.
TNE: It must be frustrating for both the player and the coaches. How do you see the Jets coaching staff responding to such incidents to help the player develop going forward?
DSG: The response is vital for a rookie’s development. Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich expressed understanding that it was a learning opportunity. This kind of mistake can be turned into a teaching moment—coaches will likely reinforce the importance of situational awareness while also providing support to Corley. He can emerge stronger if he learns from this.
TNE: Speaking of learning, how does a player like Corley cope with something that will be highlighted on social media and replayed in highlights as a blooper?
DSG: Coping requires mental resilience, which is paramount for athletes. Corley will need to focus on the process rather than the outcome, emphasizing improvements in his game. Mental coaches or sports psychologists on the team can be helpful in this regard, guiding him on how to handle public perception and pressure.
TNE: Despite his mistake, the Jets won the game. How do you think that impacted the team’s overall morale and Corley’s immediate response?
DSG: Winning will definitely ease some of the pain for Corley, as it provides a context where the team’s success isn’t solely riding on individual mistakes. It allows him to refocus on preparation for future games instead of dwelling on what went wrong. But he’ll still need to address the mistake internally.
TNE: If you had a chance to give Corley one piece of advice, what would it be?
DSG: I’d tell him to embrace the lesson learned, but don’t let it define you. Every great player has had their share of blunders; it’s how you respond to them that shapes your career. Keep pushing forward and remember—every play is an opportunity to learn and grow.
TNE: Wise words indeed! Thank you, Dr. Grant, for your insights on this topic. We appreciate your expertise and analysis on what we can learn from these key moments in sports.
DSG: Thank you for having me. It’s important to highlight the human side of sports, even amidst the glory of athletic achievement.
TNE: That’s a wrap for today’s discussion. Join us next time for more insights into the world of sports!