In recent NFL news the Buffalo Bills blew out the New York Jets 43-23 last Sunday evening. Sammy Watkins could have scored two separate touchdowns, but embarrassed himself, his coach and his team by prematurely celebrating a sure TD just in front of the end zone when he was tackled by Saalim Hakim. It was a rookie mistake that ultimately didn't affect the outcome pf the game, but certainly affected millions of fantasy football contenders.
Early in the second quarter of Sunday's Buffalo Bill's 42-23 blowout of the New York Jets, with the Buffalo Bills facing third-and-five and backed up in their own territory, streaking Sammy Watkins caught a pass from NFL journey-man quarterback, Kyle Orton.
Sammy Watkins the fourth pick in the 2014 NFL draft out of Clemson University, was on the way to six points. That is until the twenty yard line when he slowed up a step to point to the fans.
That's all backup Jets cornerback Saalim Hakim needed to catch the lightning fast receiver, and make him pay.
Hakim, who was on the fake blitz, saw the ball go deep and knew he had to get him.
On his way to the shut down what would have been longest TD catch of the season, Saalim high-tailed it to Watkins and was able to catch him thanks to Sammy's premature celebration--the hustle play turned a big score into just a long reception.
The play didn't affect Buffalo, however, who scored two plays later and handily won the game 43-23, but it did effect millions of fantasy footballers--though Watkins did somewhat redeem himself later with a 61-yd TD catch.
The incident didn't sit too well with his coach Buffalo Bills head coach, Doug Marrone, who told reporters that there was little place for those antics on his team (via ESPN):
"I said, 'There were people on that sideline--meaning his teammates--that were upset.'
"We're playing our butts off and we don't have time for stuff like that.
"Those are the things we have to work on--winning and growing up."
Buffalo Bills starting quarterback, Kyle Ortin, told Syracuse.com that once all the controversy died down that Sammy Watkins would be turn out just fine:
"It was a mistake by a young player. Sammy will learn from it. He's the type of guy where you only have to say something once and it will not happen again."
It's not the first time or the last a rookie--or any player for that matter--will cost their team six... but hopefully Watkins knows that from now on celebrating is for the end zone and the end zone only.
