Jets' D.J. Reed explains celebrating interception in blowout loss: 'Much deeper than football'
The New York Jets were getting blown out at home by the Baltimore Ravens 24-3 in Sunday's NFL regular-season opener when Jets cornerback D.J. Reed intercepted a pass thrown by Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson late in the fourth quarter.
Despite the score, Reed commemorated the occasion with what seemed to be a celebration that clearly rubbed some among the MetLife Stadium crowd the wrong way, as the 25-year-old heard some boos and jeers as he made his way back to the sideline:
Reed addressed the play after the defeat via Twitter:
As Michael Dixon noted for The Comeback, CBS2 New York sports director Otis Livingston spoke with Reed following the game and remarked that "there will be some scrutiny after" celebrating a play that made zero impact on the contest's outcome. Reed shook his head while Livingston offered his comments and then explained he wasn't celebrating what onlookers would have otherwise believed was a meaningless moment of a matchup that had already been decided.
"My dad passed away literally right before this game," Reed admitted. "I was emotional. Am still emotional…that pick was for my dad. That wasn’t celebrating…that was much deeper than football."
Livingston told Reed he was sorry for his loss, and Twitter users quickly sent condolences:
The 0-1 Jets will next face the 1-0 Cleveland Browns in Cleveland's home opener this coming Sunday.
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