Shutdown Corner - NFL

Shutdown Corner

Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:23 pm EST

Semi-pro player tackles own teammate on a punt return

By Chris Chase

We've all seen soccer or hockey players accidentally score an own goal, usually on a fluke deflection or errant clearing pass. Basketball players sometimes get unlucky too and make a basket for the wrong team. Heck, Jim Marshall of the Minnesota Vikings once returned a fumble into the wrong end zone. But this I've never seen.

In a semi-pro football game last week, Mauriece McIver of the Las Vegas Cobras made a clean, open-field tackle on a punt returner. The only problem? The guy he tackled was on his own team:

You may see players in the same uniform run into each other or accidentally trip someone or inadvertently bring someone down in a scrum, but I can't remember ever seeing a guy seek out his teammate and bring him down like McIver did.

In his defense, he wasn't helped by the fact that the two teams were each wearing dark jerseys. Still, that doesn't excuse McIver from not remembering that he was supposed to be blocking, not tackling. Even if the teams were wearing the exact same things, players on the return team still should know not to tackle anyone, least of all the guy with the ball.

Thanks, Deadspin

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1055 Comments

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  1. ted
    1. Posted by ted Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:39 pm EST

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    wow. Nothing really to say about that
  2. daddymag
    2. Posted by daddymag Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:39 pm EST

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    "Dude, how do I get on YouTube?"
  3. Andrew
    3. Posted by Andrew Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:39 pm EST

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    Wow...unbelievable. That is a stunner.
  4. CoreyB
    4. Posted by CoreyB Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:40 pm EST

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    wow...just wow. what was he thinking?
  5. Truck
    5. Posted by Truck Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:53 pm EST

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    lol in his defence, at least he showed remorse...
  6. BrainofJ
    6. Posted by BrainofJ Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:56 pm EST

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    why does his jersey look different than his teammates?
  7. ryan w
    7. Posted by ryan w Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:00 pm EST

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    epic fail.
  8. Isaac M
    8. Posted by Isaac M Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:02 pm EST

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    At least he didn't pump his fist or anything and realized his mistake... but how do you even do that? I mean, you're supposed to be blocking. The ball was kicked toward you. How do you think you're supposed to tackle the ball carrier?
  9. Chris
    9. Posted by Chris Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:30 pm EST

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    That might be one of the funniest things i have ever seen!!! I do kinda feel bad for the guy though(the tackler). He will NEVER live this down.
  10. dudelabowski
    10. Posted by dudelabowski Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:31 pm EST

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    Wow! There is an orginal video, thanks. Don't think I have ever even heard of such a thing, let alone be able to see it.
  11. Me
    11. Posted by Me Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:53 pm EST

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    But what was the line on the game? lol
  12. Jose Cantseco
    12. Posted by Jose Cantseco Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:53 pm EST

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    eh
  13. Rick
    13. Posted by Rick Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:54 pm EST

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    hahahahahahahahah
  14. Justin
    14. Posted by Justin Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:55 pm EST

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    they were both wearing dark jerseys....there is a reason why the visiting team wears white.
  15. XTC
    15. Posted by XTC Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:56 pm EST

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    Chris #9 - that's the funniest thing you ever seen? Really? that's that dumbest thing I have ever heard.
  16. Jamie
    16. Posted by Jamie Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:58 pm EST

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    This really isn't that funny, he just kinda kissed him..... OK IT'S HILARIOUS!!!
  17. Jarrod
    17. Posted by Jarrod Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:58 pm EST

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    big. dumb. oaf.
  18. Ron B
    18. Posted by Ron B Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:59 pm EST

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    Damn, that was funny....
  19. Christopher
    19. Posted by Christopher Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:00 pm EST

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    It was a great open field tackle, c'mon
  20. StevenS
    20. Posted by StevenS Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:00 pm EST

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    they were in Vegas...do you think he had money on the game?
  21. jdfrench16@...
    21. Posted by jdfrench16@... Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:00 pm EST

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    Wow... that is unbelievable. Poor guy... new definition for "complete lapse".
  22. Miss Bronco
    22. Posted by Miss Bronco Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:01 pm EST

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    Looks like the Punt Returner woulda had some room to take it to the house (or, at least a LITTLE further), that is, if his own teammate didn't tackle him! Haha.
  23. Opnions Are Like A-holes
    23. Posted by Opnions Are Like A-holes Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:01 pm EST

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    But was he eating a hot dog on the sidelines?
  24. Shell B
    24. Posted by Shell B Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:02 pm EST

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    I think a urine test might be warranted. How else would someone do such a bonehead play with being "stoned".
  25. wjmulhern7
    25. Posted by wjmulhern7 Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:02 pm EST

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    wow thats sad that doesn't even happen on my football team and i am in youth football

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