On December 19, 2010, the NFL had a chance to make history. The high-scoring match-up between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles thrilled fans from coast to coast. The game at the Meadowlands had a thrilling finale to the match. Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson capped a miraculous 62-yard game-winning victory with the league’s first and only game-ending punt return touchdown. Tied up with only 14 seconds left on the clock, Jackson set the auditorium on fire. He then followed with an amazing 65-yard return, which will be forever etched in American football history.
As the clock ticked down, the Giants held a 31-24 lead with 5:28 remaining. On the play Eagles quarterback Michael Vick threw a touchdown pass to receiver Jeremy Maclin. With just 76 seconds left in the game, this incredible play scored a touchdown… which tied the game! The atmosphere around the bowl was electric, as both teams jostled for control in what has been one of the most bitter rivalries in college football. It was Jackson’s game-changing return that finally tipped the balance of the game.
A Fateful Decision
Little did they know, the stage was being set for what would become a game-changing moment in NFL history. New York Giants punter Matt Dodge was given a simple instruction. He had been told to run an actual play named “Kick It Out of Bounds.” As he prepared to punt, Dodge saw Jackson standing there ready to field the kick. In that instance, he was making a serious mistake in judgment.
Dodge’s miscalculation even permitted Jackson to catch the kick cleanly. Uh, dude, I can recall that scene like it was yesterday, dude! We were just awful in the first half of that game. (Laughs. It’s like nothing could go our way. Jackson remembered. This moment marked the beginning of an unforgettable play.
As Jackson was getting the ball, he had a hole and hit the hole that Dodge left. He then broke off, running parallel to the goal line for several steps before making his way toward the end zone. It was his agility and speed that made him an unstoppable force that day. Omar Gaither threw the best block you’ll ever see, literally flattening three defenders. This made a lane for Jackson to make a cut through the havoc that his teammates’ help had caused.
The Aftermath of Victory
DeSean Jackson’s return delivered what was probably the most dramatic Eagles win since the Super Bowl. It was a magical day, one that will be remembered forever by all who experienced it. The play instantly became the stuff of legend amongst fans and players. Even NBA superstar Kobe Bryant was enthralled by Jackson’s scintillating display as he followed the game on his mobile phone.
One of the best parts was hearing that Kobe Bryant was tuned in and live tweeting his disapproval during that play. This tie-in with one of the most celebrated athletes of our lifetime made the moment all the more important in sports history.
In the moments following that game-changing play, Giants coach Tom Coughlin was incensed. He was in his seventh season coaching the Giants and he laid into Dodge for how the punt was executed. “They were excited at halftime. Coughlin recalled afterwards, “Everyone was worried about even making it through the game. Like it was no big deal, right? With 30 minutes left to go. It would be an understatement to say that his disappointment mingled with fury, as his team crumbled in such a spectacular fashion.
Dodge himself received severe criticism in the aftermath of the game. I personally witnessed [Coughlin] throw his playcall sheet down. He threw his headset down. Stormed onto the field and allegedly cussed out Matt Dodge. He was frightening.… He was mad as hell,” Jackson recounted, emphasizing the severity of Coughlin’s anger.
A Legacy in Rivalry
The infamous punt return going into the history books, cementing DeSean Jackson’s legacy as one of the most important figures in Eagles history. His name lived on, as the term “Welshing” became synonymous with the rivalry against the New York Giants. Fans constantly stopped him to recall that iconic moment even years later. “There’s nowhere I go where people don’t say, ‘Oh, the punt return against the New York Giants!’” Jackson remarked.
This play became more than just a metric, it evolved into a cultural cornerstone. The true extent of its influence was most acutely felt by both teams and their fans. The Eagles’ remarkable comeback not only shifted momentum in that season but added another chapter to their storied rivalry with the Giants.
As time has passed since that fateful day in December 2010, both players and fans continue to celebrate DeSean Jackson’s remarkable feat while remembering its impact on the teams involved and on NFL history itself.
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