Philadelphia Eagles star cornerback Darius Slay enjoyed quite the night to remember during what became Monday's 24-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings that propelled the Eagles to a 2-0 record on the young season.
Roughly five minutes into the game's second half, Slay intercepted a pass at the Philadelphia goal line thrown by Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins:
Darius Slay INTERCEPTION at the goal line! @bigplay24slay
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2022
: #MINvsPHI on ABC
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/DYp0tOlKGX pic.twitter.com/0b37uA5Tnc
Slay eventually spotted Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard James Harden in the crowd and gifted the souvenir to Harden:
Souvenir for @JHarden13 @bigplay24slay
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2022
: #MINvsPHI on ABC
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/DYp0tOlKGX pic.twitter.com/39DSHFrXkY
Slay wasn't finished there by any means, as he notched his second and final interception of the evening in the matchup's fourth quarter:
TWO INT's on the night for @bigplay24slay
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 20, 2022
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/Z0eDGnyNvK
After the 17-point victory, Slay connected with Harden again, this time to sign the football from his initial highlight-reel play:
.@JHarden13 made sure to get that game ball signed@bigplay24slay | @Eagles pic.twitter.com/djhJ8NqcQz
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2022
First Eagles game was lit! keep ballin bro @bigplay24slay pic.twitter.com/ckxN6m3k3C
— James Harden (@JHarden13) September 20, 2022
"He was shocked that I gave it to him," Slay said of Harden after the win, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). Slay added that he held onto the football from his second interception of the night.
As Josh Alper pointed out for Pro Football Talk, Slay mostly held Vikings Pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson in check throughout the evening. Jefferson finished the outing with an unremarkable six catches for 48 yards.
"I am not going to say it like that because I am always eager to go at all times," Slay responded when asked after the game if he felt any extra motivation due to facing a talented opponent such as Jefferson. "I take no matchup lightly, but he is one of the best in the world. I am one of the best in the world, too. I was looking forward to the matchup."
The Eagles will next play at the 1-1 Washington Commanders this coming Sunday.
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