Regardless of the level of football, every player knows that you always play through the whistle. If that whistle doesn’t sound, just assume that the play is still live.
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Tank Bigsby learned that the hard way in his NFL debut.
During the third quarter of the Jaguars’ Week 1 game against the Indianapolis Colts, the pressure got to Trevor Lawrence and the ball was knocked out before that hand went forward. Now, officials are usually instructed to let these plays remain live, so they can review it after the fact and not call the play dead at a spot.
But when the ball went to Bigsby, he just stood there as if it was an incomplete pass. Big mistake.
Great heads up football by @DeForestBuckner, and the TD stands! 😮
📺: #JAXvsIND on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/42JHr2dWPe— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
Knowing that the whistle hadn’t sounded, the Colts defense knocked the ball out of Bigsby’s hands and DeForest Buckner returned it all the way for a touchdown.
The play went into a review, and it was exactly how it appeared on the field: two fumbles and a touchdown.
NFL fans knew that Bigsby was in for a tough day when they watch that play back in the film room.
This was how Twitter reacted
Football 101 play until you hear a whistle😂 https://t.co/VRBMnUn13G
— Kudda (@_ThatDudeDeonII) September 10, 2023
Always play 'til the whistle! https://t.co/t1xgIIwNCX
— ♊ 🖖🏾👽 🫶🏾 😷 (@Sgt_Rookie) September 10, 2023
Play to the whistle young man pic.twitter.com/XGYc4UsmTb
— Prince Grimes (@pgprincej) September 10, 2023
Play it out.. no whistle. Great hustle here
— trey wingo (@wingoz) September 10, 2023
Play to the whistle https://t.co/QtnReyeTen
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) September 10, 2023
Bad coaching. Neither team made an attempt to dive for a live ball. Play through the whistle is the most fundamental part of coaching https://t.co/DUNDRfr7MK
— Yagami Light (@_ShaneGF) September 10, 2023
Play until the whistle… every coach says that…. https://t.co/hCIazkAUgU
— Dallas/Bravoh (@Brxvohs) September 10, 2023
This is bizarre! Why did he just stand still?! https://t.co/tMeefVlQDi
— Chris Klein (@MrCKlein32) September 10, 2023
Always play to the whistle https://t.co/A8iAflTtRc
— Ant (@Godbinna) September 10, 2023
