They say anything can happen in football and the San Diego Chargers were more than happy to prove that in a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday.
USA Today has more:
Late in the second quarter, Chargers running back Ryan Mathews tried to dive over the pile for a 1-yard touchdown but fumbled. Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson scooped the ball and, in a moment of panic, tossed a lateral to Cardinals linebacker Sam Acho. Displaying the hands of a linebacker, Acho then bobbled the ball until Chargers tight end Antonio Gates knocked it loose. Chargers tight end John Phillips plucked the ball from the air and ran in for a score.
Here is the box score of the bizarre play:
R.Mathews to ARI 1 for no gain (C.Campbell). FUMBLES (C.Campbell), RECOVERED by ARI-R.Johnson at ARI 7. R.Johnson to ARI 6 for -1 yards. Lateral to S.Acho to ARI 4 for -2 yards (A.Gates). FUMBLES (A.Gates), RECOVERED by SD-J.Phillips at ARI 3. J.Phillips for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
The Chargers ultimately did win the game over the Cardinals, 24-7.
Watch video of the play:
Below is another crazy, game-winning play. This one is from 2007 between Trinity University and Millsaps, lasting 62 seconds and including 15 laterals:
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