Top 10 Funniest NFL Fails
#10: DeSean Jackson Drops the Ball Early
There’s a reason hubris exists in the world. Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson scored what looked to be his first touchdown in the NFL. After catching a pass from QB Donovan McNabb, Jackson got a little ahead of himself and jettisoned the ball before actually crossing into the end zone. This little oopsie caused the touchdown to be called back with the ball placed on the 1-yard line. This misplay should serve as a reminder to cross your T’s, dot your I’s and throw the ball down in triumph *after* you’ve crossed into the end zone.
#9: The Double Doink
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Doink is more than just a funny word, it’s the sound made when a football hits off the cold steel of an end zone upright. It’s what Bears kicker Cody Parkey heard when attempting a game winning field goal in the NFC wild card game against the Eagles in 2019. The ball soared through the air, hooking left where it ricocheted off the upright, hit the crossbar and then finally the ground. The bizarre miss meant the end to the Bears’ season. The funny thing is that on the previous attempt Parkey made a good kick but the Eagles called time out just before the snap so the field goal was called back. And Bears’ head coach Matt Nagy’s reaction to the doink itself was absolutely priceless.
#8: Tony Romo Fumbles the Snap
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In a similar situation to our previous entry, the Dallas Cowboys needed a field goal to win the NFC wild card game back in 2007. There are no doinks to be found here, however, as the ball never got off the ground. That’s because Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo mishandled the snap during a 19-yard attempt. We get this gem of a play instead, where Romo frantically tried to run the ball into the end zone only to get tackled and fumble the ball away along with any chance of the Cowboys advancing in the playoffs.
#7: No, Leon!
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When you hear the name Leon Lett your mind might jump to his blunder in Super Bowl XXVII, where he almost scored a touchdown but got caught showboating instead. While we were tempted to choose that play, it didn’t have much of an impact on the game itself and Dallas went on to win and become Super Bowl Champs. Flash-forward to a snowy Thanksgiving Day game against the Dolphins where the Cowboys were on the verge of winning after blocking a kick attempt. The celebrations even started on the sideline in anticipation. However, good ol’ Leon was back to his old ways and came barreling out of nowhere towards the ball, allowing Miami to recover it for a chance at another field goal. The kick was good and Miami went on to the game 16-14. Way to go Leon.
#6: Garo’s Gaffe
It’s never a good sign when a gaffe is named after you. When Garo Yepremian’s field goal attempt is blocked late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl VII, he’s able to recover the ball but instead of just falling on it, he throws it. Only he doesn’t. He whiffs on the ball so hard; it bounces off his arm straight into the hands of Washington’s Mike Bass, who takes it for a touchdown. This has to be, without a doubt, one of the saddest throwing attempts of all time. This misplay happened during Miami’s undefeated season, so imagine squandering that historical feat on that kind of non-throw. Fortunately for the Dolphins, that did not occur, and their undefeated season remained intact despite Garo’s Gaffe.
#5: The River City Relay
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Everyone loves a good relay. Ever since the Cal Bears ran “The Play” for a dramatic come-from-behind win, many teams have tried to do the same. It doesn’t usually work because there are many moving parts, making it super risky to run. The Saints, by some miracle, were able to pull it off and score a touchdown. All that the Saints needed was to successfully kick the extra point to tie the game with no time on the clock and keep their playoff hopes alive. But the miraculous finish was not to be, as kicker John Carney missed wide right. A cruel twist of fate dashed New Orleans’ hope of capitalizing on their amazing play. Now that’s a fail.
#4: The Miracle of the Meadowlands
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With 30 seconds left in the game and leading 17-13 against the Philadelphia Eagles, it seemed like a sure-fire win for the New York Giants. Seemingly unprepared for the snap, New York quarterback Joe Pisarcik proceeds to fumble the ball, allowing the Eagles to scoop it up and return it for a touchdown and the win. No one could believe what they just saw. If the Giants simply went into victory formation, they would have run out the clock. The faux pas caused so much outrage the offensive coordinator was fired the next day while head coach John McVay was let go at the end of the season. However, much to the chagrin of Giants’ fans, this wouldn’t be the last time the Eagles pull off a miracle on them.
#3: Jim Marshall Runs the Wrong Way
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Imagine how it must feel to pick up a fumble, see a clear path to the end zone and score a touchdown. Triumphant, you look back at your teammates only to find that you’re in your end zone and you didn’t score a touchdown but a safety. That’s what happened to Jim Marshall in a 1964 game against the San Francisco 49ers. He was even congratulated by an opposing player! Fortunately, the Vikings were still able to come away with the win. Still, it’s something embarrassing to have happened at the highest level of football. Marshall did, however, receive a letter following the error from Roy Riegels, who was involved in a similar play during the 1929 Rose Bowl. The letter read, “Welcome to the club.”
#2: The Colts Swinging Gate Play
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Where do we even begin with this one? The Colts claimed they were trying to confuse the New England Patriots with a fake punt and catch them either offside or with too many men on the field. Right...maybe it could have worked if they executed really quickly? But that didn’t happen. The Patriots even seemed a bit confused, but they still understood what was happening and surrounded the two Colts players by the ball. No one should have been surprised at the outcome when the ball snapped. On top of the embarrassment of having tried that play, the Colts also received a penalty for illegal formation.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
The Bills No Touch
The Bills Try a Hands off Approach & the Jets Recover Their Own Kickoff for a Touchdown
28 - 3
One of the Worst Second Half Collapses as the Falcons Blow a 28 - 3 Lead to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI
Steelers No Snap
Pittsburgh Center B.J. Finney Forgets to Snap the Ball When the Play Is Called Resulting in a Penalty
Failed Philly Special
Old Man Brady & the Patriots Fail to Execute the Eagles’ Signature Trick Play
Trampled
The Vikings Steam Roll a Sound Guy as They Come Charging Out of the Tunnel Onto the Field. Ouch.
#1: The Butt Fumble
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Quite possibly the funniest miscue in the history of the NFL, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez runs into the butt of his teammate, fumbling the ball in the process. Even worse for the Jets, the Patriots are able to recover the fumble for a touchdown. So much, yet simultaneously so little happens on this play, it bears repeating: A grown man, paid to play the game of professional football at the highest level, runs into the posterior of another man paid to play the game of professional football. Sometimes, it really is that simple. You can’t make this stuff up even if you tried.
