Celebrating Too Soon? 7 Drastic Drops in the NFL

In a span of just a couple of weeks the NFL has seen two major fumbles by players who are about to score a touchdown.  Most recently, Arizona Cardinals RB Emari Demercado ran 72-yards to the house but dropped the ball before crossing the goal line.  The ball rolled out of the back of the end zone, giving the Titans the ball and they came back to stun the Cardinals.  A week earlier, Colts receiver Adonai Mitchell did the same thing, celebrating too early at the goal line and fumbling a 76-yard score in a game his team lost.  Let’s take a look back and some other bad goal line fumbles that may ring a bell. 

2024 WR Malachi Corley, New York Jets 

The Jets were inside the Texans 20 yard line in the second quarter and receiver Malachi Corley took a simple flip from Aaron Rodgers and zipped down the sidelines. A few blocks later, the rookie was in the end zone and celebrated a score.  But upon further review, Corley got a bit cocky and dropped the ball right as he started to celebrate. So instead of a touchdown, Corley was credited with an 18-yard run and a fumble.  It resulted in a touchback and turnover but luckily the Jets went on to win.  For Corley, it remains the viral moment of his career.

WATCH: Malachi Corley DROPS BALL Before Goal Line for TOUCHBACK 😳 Jets vs Texans TNF Highlights

2024 RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

For the Colts, it’s been back-to-back seasons of heartache as last year, Jonathan Taylor suffered a painful moment by celebrating too early.  The RB broke through the Denver defense and sprinted towards the corner of the end zone.  But as he eased up, he let go of the ball a tab bit early, resulting in a touchback and turnover.  The Broncos would respond by scoring 24 straight and cruising to a 31-13 win.  

WATCH:  TD to turnover! Jonathan Taylor fumbles just before nearly scoring 41-yard TD

2024 S Jordan Battle, Cincinnati Bengals

And staying with the 2024 season, Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle joins the list after recovering a fumble and taking it 61-yards for the score against the Titans. The only problem was as he tried to switch hands to celebrate, the ball squirted loose and he fumbled it out of the back of the end zone. That would have been Battle’s first career touchdown but at least the Bengals won to avoid any further disaster for Battle.

WATCH: Jordan Battle Fumbles While Crossing The Goal Line

2013 LB Danny Trevathan, Denver Broncos

This was an all-time blooper for Danny Trevathan. The Broncos linebacker picked off  Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco in the fourth-quarter and was on his way to scoring.  But somehow Trevathan fumbled the ball at about the 2-yard line costing Denver 7 points. Baltimore got the ball back on a touchback, and Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard was injured on the play while chasing after the fumble.  Fortunately, the Broncos would blow out the Ravens 49-27.  At least everyone can laugh about one of the most bone-headed plays in Broncos history.

WATCH: Danny Trevathan Almost Pick 6 *DROPS BALL BEFORE ENDZONE*

2017 CB Marcus Cooper, Chicago Bears

This was an incredible sequence that led to confusion, but ultimately a botched touchdown.  On the last play of the half, the Steelers had their field goal attempt blocked and cornerback Marcus Cooper scooped the ball and had the easiest touchdown of his career.  Well, until he decided to slow down inside the ten.  A Pittsburgh player would catch up, knock the ball at the one-yard line resulting in a review that would determine no touchdown, but after a penalty, the Bears would get the ball at the one-yard line and settle for a field goal.  A bizarre play that took several minutes to sort out. Certainly, Cooper’s showboating cost his team 7 points.
WATCH: Marcus Cooper Celebration Fumble

2008 WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles 

He was one of the best receivers in franchise history and showed his speed in many games. His explosiveness burned the Cowboys in 2008 as Donovan McNabb found Jackson for a sure touchdown.  But the one problem was Jackson dropped the ball before getting into the end zone. This resulted in the ball sitting harmlessly in the field of play, while officials mistakenly ruled the play a touchdown. After a Cowboys challenge, the touchdown was reversed but a lack of a clear recovery gave the ball to the Eagles at the 1-yard line.  Luckily the botched play didn’t cost Jackson as the Eagles won the game but it still remains one of the most embarrassing plays a player could have.

WATCH: 2008 – Desean Jackson Drops Ball Before Endzone HD Version

1993 De Leon Lett, Dallas Cowboys

It may be the most famous goalline fumble on the biggest stage in football and in front of the biggest audience to see a major gaffe.   Super Bowl XXVII in front of 133 million Leon Lett did something that many won’t ever forget.  With the Cowboys leading 52-17 and with under 5 minutes left, Bills QB Frank Reich got sacked and lost the ball. 6-foot-6, 290 pounder, Leon Lett scooped up the ball and rumbled towards the end zone. Assuming no one was catching him, Lett began hot-dogging before Bills receiver, Don Beebe, caught up and knocked the ball loose.  It would end into the end zone and out of bounds for a touchback.  While he won three Super Bowls and made the Pro Bowl twice, this play overshadowed Lett’s career.

WATCH:  Leon Lett Chased Down – Superbowl XXVII (Original Broadcast)

Conclusion

There is no excuse, no rationalization, no way to spin this: Dropping the ball before reaching the end zone is the dumbest thing a player can do.  It has shown to cost teams wins, and for some players, their jobs.  When players do something like this, it essentially means “It’s about me before the team.”  Bottom line, coaches will start to bench or even cut players for these types of plays and it’s up to the players to make sure to hold on to the ball right into the end zone or end up becoming a viral sensation for all the wrong reasons.