DETROIT — Sam Darnold’s slow, lonely walk began on the 25-yard line as pandemonium unfolded behind him. He glanced quickly at the scoreboard. He bowed his head. He cursed. He would not dare remove his helmet.
All summer, a growing legion of Darnold supporters had touted the 21-year-old’s uncommon impassivity. He learned quickly from mistakes and refused to be consumed by expectations or pressure. If anyone could handle the task of being the first rookie quarterback to make his debut on Monday Night Football, they said, it was Darnold.
And in four seconds, he would put that theory in serious doubt.