It’s not often that an NFL receiver catching a 97-yard touchdown bomb fails to be the most impressive athlete on the play, but in Sunday’s Vikings vs. 49ers game that’s exactly what happened as the ref stole the show.
In the second quarter of the game Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, from his own endzone, uncorked an absolute missile of a throw to speedy star receiver Justin Jefferson. Jefferson snagged the ball just past the 50-yard-line and took it all the way to the house for a touchdown.
But perhaps more impressive than Jefferson’s mad dash was the referee’s, who kept up with Jefferson stride for stride, stutter stepped to avoid getting in the receiver’s way, and continued sprinting past the star athlete before finally backpedaling into the endzone to get a good view at the touchdown.
Rewatched this play and what a spectacular highlight for the ref
—realizes Jefferson is coming his way, stops
—goes 0-60, outsprints 49er defenders to stay out of their way
—backpedals, stops on the goal line to make a potential call on a goal line tackle
pic.twitter.com/nFnsdkowVP— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) September 15, 2024
Talk about going above and beyond. (RELATED: NFL Star Throws Punch At Opponent After Team Swarms At Him For Smashing Their Quarterback)
I cannot begin to express to you all how ridiculously impressive this is. Justin Jefferson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds at the NFL Combine and his in-game speed is likely faster than that. Meanwhile ol’ pinstripes here is gliding alongside him like it’s nothing. Someone get this guy a contract!
It should come as no surprise that the ref, who sportswriter Rodger Sherman identified as second-year back judge Tyree Walton, is a former running back himself.
Walton carried the ball at Division II Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado, according to a story from US Bank, where Walton serves as a Vice President, according to his LinkedIn.
Now, it takes a lot more than simple speed to make an NFL roster, and a DII pedigree isn’t necessarily a glaring endorsement for pro-status, but given the field vision, athleticism and pure determination to go the extra mile Walton displayed in this highlight, I’d happily offer him a tryout to come tote the rock for my 0-2 Giants. At this point, they should be willing to try anything.
