Lost in all of the talk about Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was the return of Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin to his hometown of Indianapolis.
McLaurin spoke of the excitement of returning home last week, saying he would have around 70 family members and friends in attendance. Before the game, McLaurin was shown signing autographs and chatting with fans, including one of his favorite high-school teachers.
But when the game began, McLaurin was all business.
McLaurin would catch six passes for 113 yards in his return home, but none were bigger than the 33-yarder from quarterback Taylor Heinicke with 26 seconds remaining in the game.
Heinicke dropped back, found no one open, and McLaurin broke from his route; Heinicke noticed and went deep to his favorite target. And, of course, McLaurin comes down with it, beating one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks, Stephon Gilmore, for the football and giving the Commanders a first and goal from the one-yard line.
The Commanders would score on the next play to win the game.
After his amazing reception, McLaurin was emotional. The normally cool-headed McLaurin let all of his emotion out, screaming, “this is my city” multiple times after the catch.
Terry McLaurin after his 33-yard catch to put the Commanders at the 1-yard line: “This is my city!” pic.twitter.com/fy29GvAeVa
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) October 30, 2022
McLaurin is arguably Washington’s top player and certainly the franchise’s most popular player. Days like Sunday only add to McLaurin’s legend among Washington fans.
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