The nightmares of New York Jets fans everywhere came to horrifying life on Monday, as Sam Darnold’s first play ended in a Detroit disaster.
The good news for New York Jets fans is that Sam Darnold threw a touchdown pass on his very first NFL play. The bad news is that it led to the Detroit Lions scoring.
On the first play of his NFL career, Darnold’s ill-advised pass across his body was taken by Detroit cornerback Quandre Diggs, the fourth-year defender taking it back 37 yards for the opening score. It was the first career touchdown of Diggs’ career, as well as his fourth interception.
Sam Darnold's first career NFL pass is a pick-6!
(? ESPN, 7:10pm ET)pic.twitter.com/MBK8gJaQec
— ESPN (@espn) September 10, 2018
The opening turnover caused plenty of reaction on social media, as media personalities and Jets fans alike dealt with the heartbreaking development.
Good Lord! The very first play of Sam Darnold’s career, he throws a puck-6 to Diggs. Why the hell are you throwing an ACROSS-THE-FIELD PASS? Jesus! This ain’t USC! Actually, maybe he still thinks it is. Lions 7, Jets 0. #MyGoodness
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 10, 2018
I'll say it again: Sam Darnold was a try-too-hard turnover machine at USC and, 1st play of his NFL career, pick six. Too bad. Predictable.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 10, 2018
Did Gary Dell’Abate just throw that ball? @nyjets
— Sal Governale (@salgovernale) September 10, 2018
Sam Darnold is officially a Jets QB…. #MNF
— Steve Angelovich (@angelsteve89) September 10, 2018
Well, I’m glad we got that out of the way #Jets
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 10, 2018
Anddddd Jet fans break their tv’s
— Mike Golic (@espngolic) September 10, 2018
As a jets fans you got to laugh.
— Brittani ?✨? (@TheBrittWithAnI) September 10, 2018
Jets fans trying to escape their demons with Sam Darnold pic.twitter.com/8cdbUqDZmi
— Danny Heifetz (@Danny_Heifetz) September 10, 2018
Darnold’s drive went slightly better, leading the team into Detroit territory, but he got another NFL first out of the way, the drive ending with the USC alum being wrapped up by Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah. He did, however, also earn his first NFL completion, finding tight end Neal Sterling for 12 yards.