Inside the Dolphins’ 69-yard touchdown, from Tua going rogue to Tyreek’s botched celebration
There was a lot going on during the Dolphins’ touchdown to open the second half in their win against the New York Giants on Sunday — much of it unexpected.
Start with the play. It was a perfectly-placed ball from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who separated from cornerback Tre Hawkins III for a 69-yard catch-and-run score.
The only problem? It wasn’t the play call head coach Mike McDaniel gave to Tagovailoa.
After the game, a 31-16 Dolphins win, Tagovailoa revealed that one of the top plays from the victory was the result of him going rogue in the huddle.
“Well, that was the wrong play call,” Tagovailoa said when asked about the defensive scheme on the play. “That was the wrong play call, and you can ask Mike about that. I don’t think I should be saying that was the wrong play call. I called the wrong play. I called my own play. You guys might want to ask Mike about that one, but it was the wrong play call.”
Asked for further clarification, a smiling Tagovailoa said: “He said a play, and I told him I misheard him as I was looking at it. I was like, let’s just run this play.”
McDaniel’s perspective of the play?
“Apparently he stole my thunder. I wanted to unveil that he’s now a play caller, as well,” the second-year coach jokingly said.
McDaniel said he considered calling a timeout when the offense broke the huddle. But “once I saw people moving with conviction, I was like, ‘Hey, let’s see what play caller Tua has for us,’” McDaniel added.
While Tagovailoa’s play call went swimmingly, the same can’t be said for Hill’s touchdown celebration. Hill, who has helped orchestrate multiple creative celebrations this season, hopped into the stands after his score. He motioned multiple times for someone to come near him before tossing the ball into the crowd.
Hill was flagged for taunting on the play and cameras later showed he was attempting to give the ball to his mother, Anesha Sanchez. His pass, however, was intercepted by a fan. The ball eventually made its way to his mom, though.
After the game, Hill explained that his mother wanted to be a part of his latest celebration — even if it meant taking in a fine from the league.
“When I gave it to her, a guy took it. Somebody took it,” Hill said. “But my mom, she’s a bulldog. She was like, ‘Boy, give me my ball, boy. ... I got a flag for it, but it was worth it, though. Nobody messes with mama.”
Roster note
▪ The Chicago Bears are signing running back Darrynton Evans from the Dolphins’ practice squad, a league source confirmed to the Miami Herald.
This story was originally published October 8, 2023 at 6:11 PM.
