Titans’ Marcus Mariota records first touchdown reception off own pass
Jan 6, 2018, 5:14 PM | Updated: 5:40 pm
Mariota really did throw a touchdown to himself, in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/hv1B0midRg
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 6, 2018
Sometimes you just have to do it all by yourself.
Just ask Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Looking at a third and goal during the third quarter of the AFC Wild Card Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Mariota rolled out left. After trying to juke a defender with a pump fake, Mariota tossed it up — with an interception looking like the most likely outcome.
Instead, Mariota’s pass was tipped back toward his general direction, allowing him to reel it in and take it six yards for the score.
It was a blessing for the Titans as the Chiefs held a 21-3 lead before the magic trick/touchdown.
If there was ever a way to record your first touchdown reception, it’s how Mariota did it.
Social media agreed, although it seems the play caused some confusion.
When you're trying to figure how Mariota pulled it off…#TenVsKC pic.twitter.com/mCu95lojC6
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) January 6, 2018
Marcus Mariota's passer rating when throwing to… Marcus Mariota? pic.twitter.com/LBClE2AYxL
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) January 6, 2018
Marcus Mariota is a wizard. pic.twitter.com/n69N7YLER7
— Troy Machir (@TroyMachir) January 6, 2018
Marcus Mariota TD pass to Marcus Mariota. So much for those who think Mike Mularkey offense is predictable and and boring.
— Ed Werder (@EdwerderRFA) January 6, 2018
If Marcus Mariota was a baseball player…. pic.twitter.com/BBxM3hznFn
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) January 6, 2018
Replay of Mariota’s touchdown pic.twitter.com/DTcyP5usuK
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) January 6, 2018
Live replay of that Mariota TD Pass to himself. pic.twitter.com/1Tdwu4wduL
— Jeff J. (@JeffJSays) January 6, 2018
Marcus Mariota looking at his best receiver pic.twitter.com/0sesK7pkAI
— Greg (@greg_keg_) January 6, 2018
And just to add to the craziness, he wasn’t the first to do it either.
Marcus Mariota is the first player to catch a touchdown pass from himself since Brad Johnson in Week 7, 1997
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 6, 2018
Jon Gruden also confirmed.
Gruden confirms that a QB has caught his own TD pass before with a phone video that Brad Johnson sent him. (ps Gruden is checking his text messages during the game) pic.twitter.com/r5aJPonDkd
— Cork Gaines (@CorkGaines) January 6, 2018
Which one was better? You be the judge.
Marcus Mariota pulled a '97 Brad Johnson! LOL! pic.twitter.com/RiUd0wvLBg
— '03 Kliff Kingsbury (@fearthe_beard11) January 6, 2018
