During Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles fans played a key role in ensuring quarterback Tanner McKee got his first NFL touchdown ball. McKee, who stepped in as the third-string QB, threw a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown, but the ball was accidentally thrown into the stands by Brown in a celebratory moment, as reported by NBC Philadelphia.
Fan Patrick Driscoll ended up with the ball after Brown's throw. Brown expressed regret, saying, "When Nick came over and told me like, ‘You threw Tanner’s first touchdown pass into the stands,’ and I was like, ‘Ah, man.’ I wasn’t thinking about it. I don’t know what I was thinking about," according to NBC Philadelphia. McKee, caught up in the excitement of the Eagles' victory, later said, "I actually had no idea that he launched it into the stands because I was hugging the O-linemen, I was pretty excited."
Realizing the ball's significance, Driscoll returned it, trading it for a signed jersey from Brown. Driscoll said, "No, let’s get them that ball back. Let’s keep this thing rolling and into the playoffs baby. Let’s win this Super Bowl. Sirianni and the Eagles baby. Let’s go. Let’s do it," in a statement obtained by NBC Philadelphia.
The ball's journey back to McKee wasn't easy. Fans passed it from one person to another until Eagles security chief "Big" Dom DiSandro finally delivered it to McKee. "I appreciate whoever gave the ball back," McKee said, according to CBS News. A.J. Brown reflected on the accidental throw, saying, "I felt so bad because I threw it so far."
The situation ended on a positive note as Brown signed his jersey and gave it to Driscoll, amid the cheers of surrounding fans. Brown later praised Eagles fans, as cited by Sports Illustrated.
