Cringe-worthy Moments Trivia Quiz

Answer: Minnesota Vikings (1964)

On October 25, 1964, Jim Marshall, a star defensive end for Minnesota, recovered a fumble against the San Francisco 49ers. He scooped the ball up and ran 66 yards down the field and into the end zone. Unfortunately, he had run the wrong direction. The four-year veteran was so excited that he threw the ball down in celebration. This action resulted in a safety for the opposing San Francisco team.
Despite this mistake, which has lived on in video clips over the decades, the Vikings won the game 27-22.

Answer: New England Patriots (2018)

Brady and the Patriots were playing in Super Bowl LII in February of 2018 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles had tried a trick play at the end of the first half and had succeeded in their effort. Prior to that "Philly Special", the Patriots ran a double reverse that had Tom Brady, the star quarterback, running quickly down the right sideline.

He was wide open for the catch with nobody between himself and the end zone. Unfortunately, the easy throw was fumbled by him and landed incomplete. Tom Brady said that for years afterward he was reminded of that play by the fans of the Eagles, who ended up winning that Super Bowl.

Answer: Philadelphia Eagles (2008)

In one of his first NFL games as a rookie in 2008, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson caught a long pass from quarterback Donovan McNabb. Jackson then ran it for his first pro touchdown. In joy, he spiked the ball and began celebrating. However, the opposing team, the Dallas Cowboys, called foul. A review of the play showed he had spiked the ball on the one yard line BEFORE he went into the end zone.
As a result, the touchdown was taken away. Shockingly, Jackson had done the very same thing in a high school game years earlier.

Answer: Detroit Lions (2008)

In his first ever career NFL start, Detroit quarterback Dan Orlovsky became known for a blunder against the Minnesota Vikings. Late in the first quarter, Orlovsky was attempting to throw a pass from the middle of his team's own end zone. He began to scramble and run and forgot to observe where was going. He ran out of the back of the end zone which immediately resulted in a safety for the opposing Vikings.
Orlovsky said he was haunted by his blunder for years until, in 2022, Jimmy Garoppolo did the same thing as a quarterback for the 49ers.

Answer: New York Jets (2012)

On Thanksgiving Day (November 22) of 2012 the New York Jets were playing the New England Patriots. In front of a huge crowd at home, NY quarterback Mark Sanchez was attempting to atone for a season already marked by several losses. Instead, he took a snap and mistakenly turned the wrong direction to hand the ball off. Trying to salvage the play, he scrambled forward and ran right into the buttocks of his own teammate, offensive lineman Brandon Moore.

This caused a fumble which was recovered by the Patriots for a touchdown. As if this was not bad enough, this infamous "butt fumble" as it became known, was the second of three fumbles in the second quarter. All of the fumbles resulted in touchdowns for the opposing team.

Answer: New York Jets (2010)

In a December 2010 game, the New York Jets were playing the Miami Dolphins. Nolan Carroll, a Dolphin defensive back was on the punting team and was running down the field following a Dolphin punt in the third quarter. Suddenly, he was falling on the ground and rolling for about 10 yards on the sidelines by the Jets. After reviewing films, it turns out that a Jets strength and conditioning coach named Sal Alosi intentionally stuck out his knee and tripped him.

Carroll was slow to get up but did make it back into the game. Alosi, after publicly apologizing, was fined $25,000 by the Jets and suspended for the rest of the season.

Answer: New Orleans Saints (2003)

The Saints were playing the Jacksonville Jaguars in December of 2003 in Florida. The Jaguars were leading 20-13 with very little time left on the clock. The Saints were on their own 25 yard line when quarterback Aaron Brooks made a pass to midfield to Donte Stallworth.

The clock had hit zero when Stallworth pitched the ball to Lewis who pitched it to McAllister who pitched it to Pathon who dove into the end zone for six points. The remarkable chain of throws and catches was dubbed "The River City Relay". The Saints coach then elected to kick the extra point to tie the game rather than a two point conversion to win. All kicker John Carney needed was to kick the extra point.

He lined up, hit it wrong, and it sailed wide right. The announcer's horrified scream of "NOOOOO!" summed up the sudden loss.

Answer: Dallas Cowboys (1993)

On Thanksgiving Day in 1993 the Dallas Cowboys were playing the Miami Dolphins in the middle of a snow and sleet storm in Texas. The Cowboys were leading 14-13 with just seconds left in the game. The Dolphins kicker Pete Stoyanovich tried a 41 yard field goal to win the game. The kick was blocked and the ball came to rest in the slush. The Cowboys simply had to do nothing and the play would have been whistled dead and they would have won the game.

However, Lett attempted to recover the ball, slipped, and hit the football. The Dolphins recovered it, kicked a field goal, and won the game.

Answer: Oakland Raiders (2009)

The Raiders were playing the Denver Broncos in December of 2009 and it was a close game. On a crucial second and goal, Raider defensive tackle Tommy Kelly lined up. He then tackled Knowshon Moreno of the Broncos and wrestled him to the ground just short of the goal line. Unfortunately, while doing the tackle, Kelly lost his balance and his pants. They fell to his ankles, leaving him in just a jock strap.

Embarrassment pushed aside, the Raiders stopped the Broncos and forced a field goal. Oakland went on to win the game overall with just seconds left on the clock.

Answer: Baltimore Ravens (2020)

The Ravens were playing the Cleveland Browns in December of 2020 when Lamar Jackson, the quarterback, suddenly exited the game in the final quarter. He was filmed gingerly trotting to the tunnel going to the locker room. Then he was filmed rapidly gesturing someone away from the restroom door. He claimed later he had "arm cramps" and did not pull a "Paul Pierce". Pierce, a basketball player, had previously left a game on the court due to a "potty in the pants" incident.

Jackson continued to deny claims he was suffering from gastrointestinal problems but never explained his odd trot to the locker room and his swift return to the field to propel the Ravens to victory.