Regardless of the level of football, every player knows that you always play through the whistle. If that whistle doesn’t sound, just assume that the play is still live.
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Tank Bigsby learned that the hard way in his NFL debut.
During the third quarter of the Jaguars’ Week 1 game against the Indianapolis Colts, the pressure got to Trevor Lawrence and the ball was knocked out before that hand went forward. Now, officials are usually instructed to let these plays remain live, so they can review it after the fact and not call the play dead at a spot.
But when the ball went to Bigsby, he just stood there as if it was an incomplete pass. Big mistake.
Great heads up football by @DeForestBuckner, and the TD stands! 😮
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📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/42JHr2dWPe— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
Knowing that the whistle hadn’t sounded, the Colts defense knocked the ball out of Bigsby’s hands and DeForest Buckner returned it all the way for a touchdown.
The play went into a review, and it was exactly how it appeared on the field: two fumbles and a touchdown.
NFL fans knew that Bigsby was in for a tough day when they watch that play back in the film room.