Carolina Panther tight end Richie Brockel’s path to the pros hasn’t been a traditional journey. So maybe it was only fitting that the former U.S. Men’s National Team member’s first NFL touchdown fit into the unusual category with a play rarely seen on Sundays.
In a Week 15 28-13 upset win of the eventual AFC South Division champion Houston Texans, Brockel found the end zone via a makeshift fumblerooski. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton took the snap from the shotgun formation with Brockel lined up to the quarterback’s right. Newton casually placed the ball between Brockel’s legs and took off faking a run to the right. Brockel gathered the ball and ran untouched to the left for a seven-yard score.
“I came around the corner, and all of the O-line and (tight end Greg) Olsen had it blocked up perfect. I was thinking, ‘Just don’t trip and fall now,’” Brockel told reporters after the game. “The defense really bit on that option because we’ve run that so well this season with Cam. That opened up the back side for me.”
The score gave Carolina a 21-0 first half lead, and the Panthers held on to win. An intentional fumble forward would make the play illegal in the NFL, but this trick play was more of a stealthfully executed handoff.