You would think that by now soccer players of all levels would know not to drop the ball before crossing the goal line.
DeSean Jackson did it in 2008 with the Philadelphia Eagles, and it immediately became a mistake that is repeated over and over again. However, players still do it.
New York Jets rookie Malachi Corley had to feel bad about that Thursday night. On the second touch of his NFL career, he spun and ran 18 yards against the Houston Texans for what should have been the first touchdown of his career. That is an important moment in life. But Corley dropped the ball before crossing the goal line.
A review showed Corley fumbled the ball before scoring, but there had to be a conclusion to the play since it was live. If the Jets had picked it up, it would have been a touchdown. But the ball slowly left the back of the end zone. The Texans took control with a touchback.
Corley made a mistake and will live with it for a long time. Instead of the third-round pick celebrating a huge accomplishment, he was on the sidelines with angry coaches and teammates as viewers took to social media to talk about the dumb mistake the rookie made. It’s a mistake you’ll see here and there, when at any point it’s practically unforgivable, particularly after Jackson’s infamous mistake 16 years ago.
Fortunately, that didn’t cost the Jets the victory. New York beat the Texans 21-13.
“I’m definitely frustrated and angry, but what an incredible opportunity for this kid to grow and learn,” Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said after the game, via Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.