The number one rule with all 32 NFL teams is ball security. It is the duty of every player to hold on to that football as if your career depended on it. In last night’s game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs, running back Jamaal Charles learned the hard way. Not once, but twice did Charles fail to hold onto the ball, the latter one costing the Chiefs the game. Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall popped the ball out of Charles’ hand allowing cornerback Bradley Roby to run it in for the touchdown. The Broncos would win in miraculous fashion 31-24.
Charles was visibly devastated. As he sat on the bench, he slammed his helmet to the ground in frustration and guilt as he felt the weight of the fumble. But he is not alone in this. Below are four more game ending fumbles in NFL history that stood the test of time.
Five NFL Game Ending Fumbles
James Stewart, running back, Jacksonville Jaguars (1996)
The Jacksonville Jaguars were in their second season and headed for the 1996 AFC playoffs against the New England Patriots. Failing to do anything on offense, the Jaguars defense was able to hold the Patriots to just 13 points. With just one score separating both teams and the two-minute warning approaching, the Jaguars had possession and a powerhouse running back in James Stewart. However, Stewart fumbled the ball, Patriots cornerback Otis Smith recovered and ran it 47 yards to the end zone. The Patriots clinched the AFC title and the Jaguars Cinderella story ended.
Frank Gifford, running back, New York Giants (1960)
During a regular season game in 1960, the New York Giants were behind by a touchdown in the game’s final moments. Running back Frank Gifford caught a pass over the middle and tried to get out of bounds to stop the clock. But he was cut short by a brutal tackle from Chuck Bednarik, sending Gifford to the ground and the ball into the air. Chuck Weber fell on the loose ball to protect a 17-10 win that helped Philadelphia secure the NFL Championship.
Joe Pisarcik, quarterback, New York Giants (1978)
Known as the “Miracle at the Meadowlands”, the New York Giants were destined for victory against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles on November 19, 1978. Leading 17-12 in the 4th quarter and under a minute remaining, the Giants only had to run out the clock.
But somehow, just as the Kansas City Chiefs did last night against the Denver Broncos, the Giants managed to twist the easiest play in football by packaging a win to their divisional rivals.
Numerous accounts of miscommunication resulted in the Giants quarterback Joe Pisarcik losing control of the ball as he attempted to hand off to fullback Larry Csonka. Eagles defensive back Herm Edwards shoveled up the fumble and took it back for an astonishing game-altering touchdown. The Eagles finished the season 9-7 and earned a playoff berth.
Roger Craig, running back, San Francisco 49ers (1990)
The 1990 San Francisco 49ers were about to make a run towards their third straight Super Bowl Championship. In the NFC title game, the Giants were without quarterback Phil Simms and were at the mercy of back-up Jeff Hostetler. But soon the 49ers would also heed the same fate as quarterback Joe Montana was hit hard by Leonard Marshall and taken out of the game.
The 49ers were in the lead 13-12 with less than three minutes to go. With possession of the ball, San Francisco tried to run down the clock on the ground. On first down from the Giants 40-yard-line, running back Roger Craig fumbled the ball as he was hit by Erik Howard behind the line of scrimmage. The ball fell into the hands of linebacker Lawrence Taylor, allowing the Giants offense a chance to score a game-winning field goal as time ran out.
Main Photo:
