Malachi Corley believed he had scored his inaugural NFL touchdown for the New York Jets – but the rookie wide receiver dropped the ball before crossing the goal line. The ball then rolled out of the end zone, resulting in no touchdown, a turnover for the Jets, and a significant rookie error.
With the Jets at the Texans' 19-yard line early in the second quarter, Corley received the toss from Aaron Rodgers and sprinted down the right sideline. He quickly approached the end zone, but just as he was about to cross the goal line, he dropped the ball from his right hand to celebrate prematurely. A video review confirmed that he had not entered the end zone before the ball was dropped. Consequently, Corley was credited with an 18-yard run and a fumble. Since the ball rolled out of the side of the end zone, it was ruled a touchback and a turnover.
The play left the crowd at MetLife Stadium – which was only about three-quarters full on Halloween night – in shock. Corley, a third-round draft pick from Western Kentucky, has seen limited action this season, entering the game with just a 4-yard catch in four NFL games. The mistake evoked memories of DeSean Jackson's gaffe during his rookie season with Philadelphia in 2008. In a Monday Night Football game against Dallas, Jackson prematurely celebrated a touchdown by flipping the football behind him at the 1-yard line before actually entering the end zone.
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