Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado became the latest NFL player to throw away a touchdown with a selfish premature celebration during Sunday's game against Tennessee.
It happened at the 12:41 mark of the fourth quarter with the Cardinals leading 21-6. On 3rd and 1 on the Cardinals 28-yard line, Demarcado took the handoff, ran through a hole up the middle of the defense and had a clear path to the end zone. It looked like an easy score that would have put the game away. However, Demarcado's self-centered instincts got in the way.
Demercado decided to flip the ball into the end zone to celebrate his touchdown. Unfortunately, he had not crossed the goal line yet.
AGAIN. #Cardinals RB Emari Demercado just had a 76-yard TD — but he let go of the ball before crossing the goal line, and it’s a touchback.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 5, 2025
HOW DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?!
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The slow motion replay makes it more obvious that the ball was not knocked out of Demercado's hand by the Titans defender, but rather tossed into the end zone from the 1-yard line by Demercado. The ball rolled out of the back of the end zone, leading to a touchback and giving the Titans the ball back at the 20-yard line.
Emari Demarcado fantasy owners keep scrolling.
— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) October 5, 2025
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Demercado gets credit for a 71-yard run, but not for the touchdown. You would think after Adonai Mitchell pulled this stunt last week that every coach would warn their players not to do this. The only way players are going to learn is if someone gets cut.
Sure enough, this became a critical play in the game, as the Titans came all the way back to win the game 22-21. It was the first Titans win of the season. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are left shaking their heads after blowing this one.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports).
