The Jets’ game-winning touchdown on Monday night came from an extremely unlikely source, as undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson returned a punt for a 65-yard touchdown in overtime.
Gipson did his best to explain the stunning moment after the Jets’ 22-16 victory.
“I saw the ball in the air,” he told ESPN after the game. “And I saw that I had an opportunity…I just saw the opportunity and I just took it.”
The receiver admitted the team was psychologically affected by the shocking injury to Aaron Rodgers, who appeared just four plays into his first Jets appearance.
Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson (82) celebrates his winning touchdown in overtime
The 39-year-old was taken to the locker room after a suspected Achilles injury, while Zach Wilson led the rest of the attack.
“The energy had gotten a little low,” Gipson admitted.
However, the Stephen F. Austin product recalled thinking afterward, “Let’s win this match for A-Rod.”
The Jets did just that, in no small part because of his heroics.
Gipson became a popular figure on the summer season of ‘Hard Knocks’ when he defied the odds to make the Jets’ roster.
Aaron Rodgers was injured when he was sacked by Leonard Floyd minutes after his Jets debut
“You’re going to do a lot of good things for us this year,” New York head coach Robert Saleh correctly predicted in a speech. heartwarming video of the performance.
The receiver’s touchdown completed a 10-point comeback for the Jets against their division rivals.
However, the mood is likely to change tomorrow as Saleh confirmed the team feared an Achilles injury for Rodgers and said after the match that ‘it’s not good’.