NFL rookie Malachi Corley has endured a Halloween nightmare on Thursday Night Football.
Corley’s New York Jets teammates could only watch on in horror as the wide receiver made an inexplicable mistake against the Houston Texans.
Malachi Corley looked to have given the Jets a 7-0 lead over the Texans on TNF[/caption]
But replays showed the Jets WR dropped the ball before entering the endzone[/caption]
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke out in his post-match press conference[/caption]
Corley was pitched the ball from quarterback Aaron Rodgers on a surprise rushing play to begin the second quarter at MetLife Stadium.
The 22-year-old took advantage of a perfect blocking sequence from the New York O-line.
He had a clear 18-yard run to his first-ever NFL touchdown, appearing to put the Jets 7-0 ahead in a must-win game.
But replays showed Corley dropped the ball before he entered the endzone, beginning his celebrations too early.
It resulted in the touchdown being wiped away and a touchback for the Texans.
The Jets eventually ran out 21-13 winners thanks to scores from Garret Wilson and Davante Adams.
“I said we need to score 28-30 points,” a relieved Rodgers told Amazon’s post-game show.
“Tonight I’m counting 28. We scored 21 and we had another [seven on the scoreboard]…”
“Well you know [what happened] at the goal line,” he added, with a wry smile.
Fans on social media were not quite as forgiving after footage of Corley’s error went viral.
The Jets’ official X account was even community noted after they labeled the play a touchdown, with the note correcting it to a “touchback.”
“Malachi Corley is never seeing an NFL field again,” predicted one fan.
“Jets are always going to Jet,” laughed a second.
“A Halloween Nightmare for the Jets,” added a third.
“The Jets are legit a science fair experiment,” joked a fourth.
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Rodgers later referred to the moment as a “silly play” during his post-game press conference.
Many fans were reminded of a similar incident involving former Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeShaun Jackson.
In 2008, Jackson looked to be taking a deep ball to the house against the Dallas Cowboys before dropping it on the one-yard line during his celebration.
Corley was drafted in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft.
The youngster has struggled to make an impact in his rookie season, catching just one pass across five games.
He revealed earlier this month Rodgers had invited him to stay at his guest house in a bid to improve team bonding.
Corley told The NY Post: “I’m just like a little kid. He’s an adult.
“He’s the MVP, Hall of Famer, all those types of things.
“I’m just like a little kid talking to him all the time, texting him, trying to see what he’s done to stay consistent in the league, the things that he’s done to work on his mental health, how he’s kept his body alive so long.
“He said I could stay in his guest house if I want to. So, yeah, me and him are close.”
