Malachi Corley believed he had scored his first NFL touchdown for the New York Jets, but unfortunately, the rookie wide receiver dropped the ball before crossing the goal line.
The ball rolled out of the end zone, resulting in no touchdown, a turnover for the Jets, and a significant rookie mistake.
During the second quarter with the Jets at the Texans 19-yard line, Corley received the toss from Aaron Rodgers and sprinted down the right sideline. As he approached the end zone, Corley dropped the ball from his right hand in celebration just before crossing the goal line.
A video review confirmed that Corley had not reached the end zone before dropping the ball. Consequently, he was credited with an 18-yard run and a fumble. Since the ball rolled out of the end zone, it resulted in a touchback and turnover.
The play left the crowd at MetLife Stadium, which was only about three-quarters full on Halloween night, in disbelief.
Corley, a third-round draft pick from Western Kentucky, has had limited playing time this season, with just a four-yard catch in four NFL games.
This blunder was reminiscent of DeSean Jackson’s mistake as a rookie with Philadelphia during a Monday Night Football game in the 2008 season when he prematurely celebrated a touchdown against Dallas by tossing the ball behind him at the one-yard line before entering the end zone.
