Kyle Pitts Lands a Unique Touchdown Memory
Unconventional Celebration
In a moment that veered dramatically from traditional football celebrations, Kyle Pitts inadvertently gave the Atlanta Falcons and their fans something to smile about after his game-tying touchdown against the Washington Commanders. With the clock showing just 1:19 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Falcons struggling at 24-17, rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. found Pitts on a crucial fourth-down play. It was a spectacular moment, yet Pitts catapulted the ball into the atmosphere, adding an unexpected twist to the occasion.
Unexpected Consequences
But that wasn’t just any football. It was, in fact, Penix's first NFL touchdown ball, a milestone for any quarterback. "I didn't know that was his first one. I thought he threw it the week prior. I didn't mean to throw his ball like that," Pitts candidly admitted. His assumption was understandable, considering Penix hadn't registered a touchdown during his NFL debut—a straightforward 34-7 victory over the New York Giants just a week before. Nevertheless, the errant throw had a happy ending. One of the team's alert ballboys secured the ball, sparing the keepsake from an uncertain fate.
Penix’s Journey
Penix’s journey to this point has been intriguing. Drafted as the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, he didn’t take the reins as starter until Week 16. The young quarterback is steadily finding his footing, completing 59.7% of his passes over two starts, tallying 425 yards, one touchdown, and enduring two interceptions. Still, for a rookie out of Washington, these are promising stats, and his commitment to improvement is palpable.
Retrieving the Keepsake
As for the touchdown ball, the Falcons didn’t let time erase its significance. "Yeah, we did. We definitely had to track that down. I was pretty upset. It actually went pretty high. It went to one of the back ballboys, so we got it," Pitts recounted. The team's concerted effort ensured Penix would hold onto the tangible reminder of his early career highlight.
The next seasons could prove pivotal for both Penix and Pitts. With their combined talents and a strong sense of camaraderie, they might just light up the field and rewrite the script for the Falcons. Until then, they'll treasure this memorable touchdown, which will surely have its own tale to tell in their careers.