Revisiting The Classic “Butt Fumble” Game Seven Years Later
November 22nd, 2012 is a day that will live on forever in New England Patriots history. It was Thanksgiving night and the Patriots went into New York with a 7-3 record. The Patriots ended up winning that game 49-19, scoring 35 points in the second quarter alone. But one play defined that game and lives on as one of the biggest blunders in NFL history. Ladies and gentlemen, the butt fumble.
Seven years ago today, the butt fumble was born. pic.twitter.com/AQcBBjgztP
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 22, 2019
What Actually Happened
As you can see in the video, the Patriots were up 14-0 already on the Jets. It was a 1st & 10 and Mark Sanchez was under center. He looks to hand off to a running back, but nobody is there. Instead, he takes off and runs into his own offensive lineman’s butt (Brandon Moore) and fumbles the ball. Safety Steve Gregory ends up picking up the football and takes it back the other way for a Patriots touchdown. It helped the Patriots with a 35 point second quarter and cruise to an easy divisional victory.
My Reaction Seven Years Later
*Insert Hysterical Laughter Here* Mark Sanchez is such a DUMMY! How can possibly even think about running into your own lineman? It’s not like he magically just showed up in front of you out of thin air. I hate to say this, (not really!) but that play will stick with Mark Sanchez forever. He never did much in his NFL career after leaving the Jets. But one play, ONE play, will stick with him throughout his days on this earth. I’m just glad the New England Patriots could be a part of such a historical play…on the right side of it obviously.
In Conclusion
The “Butt Fumble” will always live on with us. Mark Sanchez had some great success with the Jets in his early years. But that play alone will always stand out. I can’t find too many other plays that are as ridiculous as that one. Sure, you have Kevin Dyson one yard short of the tying touchdown at the Super Bowl. You have the “Music City Miracle” in Tennessee. But this play, in my opinion, is at the top of the list.
-Alan Nahigian (@BigAl2793)