Sometimes, NFL players amaze us with their insane athleticism and game-winning plays, and other times… well, they leave us speechless for entirely different reasons. We’re talking about those jaw-dropping blunders that make you wonder if someone swapped out their playbooks for punchlines.
When the Chicago Bears delivered an epic misstep — now hilariously dubbed the “Fail Beary” — against Washington last Sunday, it instantly earned a spot in NFL blooper history. Watching it unfold was like witnessing a slow-motion train wreck. It got us thinking: where does this infamous play rank among the league’s all-time brain-freeze moments?
From wrong-way runs to premature celebrations, the NFL has a rich history of “Wait… did that just happen?” moments. We’re counting down the worst of the worst — the mistakes so absurd they’ve achieved legendary status. Let’s dive into the league’s most legendary blunders, from failed passes to premature celebrations.
10. Garo Yepremian’s Super Bowl VII Pass
Super Bowl VII saw Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian’s infamous blooper. After his field goal was blocked, Yepremian picked up the live ball and tried to pass — a hilarious but disastrous attempt. The ball popped straight into Washington’s Mike Bass’ hands, who returned it 49 yards for a touchdown. Instead of closing the game with a flawless 17-0 lead, Miami led 14-7, all thanks to Yepremian’s fumble. Fortunately, the Dolphins still managed to secure the only undefeated season in NFL history.
9. “Just Fall On It, Man!”
In the 2009 season, Rams safety James Butler thought he’d made a great interception in the end zone against rookie QB Matthew Stafford. But things went south fast. Instead of taking a knee, Butler stepped out of the end zone, then quickly backpedaled back in, thinking he could score a touchback. Nope — it was ruled a safety. Butler’s blunder put the Lions on the board, though they still fell short, 17-10.
8. Wrong-Way Run: Jim Marshall’s Safety
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall turned one of football’s most basic plays into comedy gold. In 1964, he scooped up a 49ers fumble and sprinted 66 yards … into his own end zone! Thinking he’d scored a touchdown, Marshall tossed the ball in celebration, but it was actually a safety for San Francisco. Fortunately, the Vikings went on to win the game despite the infamous “Wrong-Way” Marshall play.
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7. “Just Fall on It, Man!” Part II
In Week 17 of the 2016 season, the Bills fell victim to their own mental lapse. Trailing the Jets 23-3, they watched a kickoff roll into their end zone, assuming it would be ruled a touchback. Wrong! Jets’ Doug Middleton seized the moment and dove onto the live ball, adding an unexpected and embarrassing Jets touchdown.
6. Leon Lett’s Early Super Bowl Celebration
Leon Lett learned the hard way that pride comes before a fumble. In Super Bowl XXVII, Lett was on his way to a touchdown after recovering a fumble when he started celebrating too early, outstretching the ball. Buffalo’s Don Beebe caught up and swatted it out of Lett’s hands, costing the Cowboys an easy score. Dallas still crushed the Bills that day, but Lett’s play became a classic “what not to do” in the NFL.
5. Leon Lett’s Thanksgiving Slip-Up
The following season, on Thanksgiving, Lett added another blunder to his list. The Cowboys were leading the Dolphins 14-13 with seconds left when Dallas blocked a Miami field goal attempt. Lett charged forward to recover the ball, only to knock it further downfield. Miami recovered and took another field goal shot, sealing the game and leaving Lett with his second major holiday mishap.
4. The Premature Goal-Line Celebration
Dropping the ball before crossing the goal line has become an NFL staple of mental errors. Eagles’ DeSean Jackson famously did this in 2008, celebrating after a long pass from Donovan McNabb. Jackson threw the ball away just inches from his first NFL touchdown, missing out on the score and leaving fans baffled. If there’s one rule in football, it’s this: cross the line first, celebrate second.
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3. The Helmet Toss Heard ‘Round Cleveland
Browns linebacker Dwayne Rudd managed to turn victory into defeat in the 2002 season opener. Thinking he’d sacked Chiefs QB Trent Green as time expired, Rudd ripped off his helmet in celebration — but Green had actually lateraled the ball to tackle John Tait, who kept running. Officials flagged Rudd for unsportsmanlike conduct, giving the Chiefs another shot. Morten Andersen nailed a field goal, giving Kansas City the win and adding another chapter to Cleveland’s long list of heartbreaks.
2. ‘Fail Beary’ by Chicago’s Tyrique Stevenson
The ‘Fail Beary’ may have happened instantly, but it’s unforgettable. The Bears’ Tyrique Stevenson was too busy taunting Washington fans to realize the game was still live. With his back turned to the field, he unwittingly tipped the ball right into Washington receiver Noah Brown’s hands. The play encapsulates instant karma — and possibly playoff implications for Chicago. It’s too early to say the long-term fallout, but this one’s already a legendary blunder.
1. The Colts’ Catastrophic Fake Punt
This disaster of a trick play needs no introduction. During the 2015 game against the Patriots, the Colts lined up in a bizarre formation on fourth down, with only center Griff Whalen and another player on the ball while everyone else was far to the side.
Whalen snapped the ball straight into the defense, leading to an instant takedown and NFL meme gold. Even Colts punter Pat McAfee admitted the play was doomed from the start. Sometimes, mistakes are funny; other times, they’re unforgettable. This one? A mix of both!
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