Future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, a guy who’s redefined what a defensive tackle can do, almost snagged the one thing that has eluded him his entire 11-season NFL career: a touchdown. It was Week 8, deep in the third quarter of that wild intra-city showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and the Chargers, and for a fleeting moment, it looked like the biggest play of Donald’s already legendary career was about to happen. You just know he wanted that six points more than anything.
When The Ball Bounced And Dreams Died
The play itself started like pure chaos, just how D-linemen love it. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert got absolutely rocked by Rams linebacker Wesley Bailey, forcing a fumble that sent the ball skittering on the turf. And who was there, like a heat-seeking missile? Aaron Donald. His intention was crystal clear, man. He wasn’t just gonna fall on that pigskin for the turnover. Nah, not the guy with 20.5 sacks in a season, 10 Pro Bowls, and nine All-Pro first teams to his name. Donald saw the end zone, and he wanted to scoop that ball and run it home for his very first touchdown. You could feel it, the anticipation was electric.
But then, football, right? That oblong-shaped beast has a mind of its own, and even a generational athlete like Donald found out the hard way. Just as he was about to get his hands on it, Donald kicked the ball with his left foot. Talk about a gut punch! He lost his balance, hit the turf, and the ball, mocking him, bounced right between his legs. Other players dove into the scrum, a frenzied mess that ultimately pushed the ball out of bounds. The touchdown, the one singular achievement that has managed to escape Donald’s incredible grasp, continued to elude him. Brutal.
Myles Garrett’s Sideline Snickers
Watching all this unfold, probably with a mix of awe and pure hilarity, was Donald’s injured teammate, Myles Garrett. From his stationary bike on the sideline, the fellow All-Pro couldn’t help but crack up, gleefully laughing at Donald’s very human moment. Garrett gets it, though. He understands just how incredibly difficult it is for a defensive lineman to actually get into the end zone. And guess what? Garrett has the touchdown that Donald so desperately craves.
Back on December 12, 2021, when Garrett was with the Cleveland Browns, he had his own legendary D-line moment. He sacked Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley, stripped the ball clean, recovered that fumble himself, and took it to the house. That lone career touchdown for Garrett happened during the Browns’ 24-22 win, and on that very play, he also broke Cleveland’s team record for sacks in a single season. So yeah, Garrett knows the feeling of that elusive D-line score, which probably made Donald’s near-miss even funnier for him.
What a moment, right? A reminder that even the absolute best in the game have those “what if” plays. Donald’s still chasing that career milestone, and you know every time a loose ball is on the ground, he’s gonna be thinking about it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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