Carolina Panthers rookie safety Rashaan Gaulden was fresh out of his second NFL preseason exhibition when he turned his mind to what it would be like to face off against Tom Brady, New England’s future Hall of Fame quarterback.
“Oh my God, that would be so cool,” said Gaulden, when asked how it would feel to get a chance at intercepting a Brady pass..
Little did Gaulden know at the time, he’d be starting on Friday night in Carolina’s third exhibition. Veteran safety Da’Norris Searcy remained in the concussion protocol through Wednesday, prompting coach Ron Rivera to name Gaulden the starter.