It wasn’t long after committing an encroachment penalty that Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter did the unthinkable.
While that makes it sound like he tried to take Patrick Mahomes’ head, we can assure you that’s not the case. Instead, the embattled rookie out of the University of Georgia nearly pulled off something that’s likely never been accomplished on a football field before during Philadelphia’s 21-17 win Monday.
Though, perhaps he saw it on YouTube.
With Kansas City in field goal range and out of timeouts, Mahomes spiked the football with a few seconds remaining in the first half. Harrison Butker’s 43-yard field goal gave the Chiefs a 17-7 advantage heading into the break, but it almost didn’t happen. That’s because Carter came oh, so close to intercepting Mahomes’ spike.
Yes, you read that correctly.
As Mahomes spiked the football with three seconds on the play clock, Carter hit the deck. The football was just out of his reach, as he came ridiculously close to making one of the most impressive interceptions that we’ve ever seen on a football field before.
Jalen Carter was so close. pic.twitter.com/G8wkJM3DON
— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2023
“I saw it on the internet. I’ve seen it on YouTube, some high school kid tried, and he actually caught the ball,” Carter said postgame, via Eliot Shorr-Parks. “I thought, ‘That’s a good idea,’ I knew they would spike it, so I tried to go for it.”
Jalen Carter on the viral play where he almost intercepted Patrick Mahomes spiking the ball
“I saw it on the internet”
Saw it on YouTube so decided to try it in a game #Eagles pic.twitter.com/fkPVoHfcSt
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) November 21, 2023
We’ll have to see if Carter tries it again. Or maybe it’ll become a phenomenon in the NFL until someone actually intercepts the football like Carter alleged that a high school player previously did.
