On Nazair Jones’ very first regular season NFL snap, on the road last Sunday at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers, the Seahawks’ rookie defensive tackle intercepted Aaron Rodgers and ran it back for a 64-yard score.
A thousand miles away, in Jones’ hometown of Roanoke Rapids, N.C., Angela Mallory whooped in excitement as the play unfolded on her television, and texted her son Derrin and tell him that his mentor had just scored in his first NFL game.
Alas, Jones’ big play was eventually called back on an illegal blocking penalty by Cliff Avril and another penalty from the punch Jeremy Lane allegedly threw at Packers receiver Davante Adams.