How A.J. Brown, Big Dom got Tanner McKee's first TD ball back from fan

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

How Eagles WR A.J. Brown and Big Dom got QB Tanner McKee's first TD ball back from fan

By Conor Killmurray | Last updated Dec 29, 2024 4:28 PM ET

The Philadelphia Eagles entered their Week 17 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who suffered a concussion last week. Second-string quarterback Kenny Pickett then went down with a rib injury early in the second half. No matter, third-string quarterback Tanner McKee stepped in and kept the rout of the Cowboys going.

McKee's first touchdown of the game was also the first touchdown of his NFL career. He hit wide receiver A.J. Brown for a 20-yard touchdown pass, and his teammates rallied around him in celebration. In his excitement, Brown launched the ball into the stands by the end zone, realizing too late that he let go of McKee's first touchdown ball.

That's when Brown and infamous Eagles employee Dom DiSandro, also known as "Big Dom," found the fan who caught Brown's pass. Together, the two facilitated a trade with the fan to rescue McKee's game ball.

AJ Brown launched Tanner McKee's first TD ball into the stands.

Big Dom had to go get it pic.twitter.com/wbCh01iI7p
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024

As Dom explained the situation, Brown promised the fan he would trade him a game-worn jersey. There seemed to be some negotiation, but once the fan confirmed he would get an authentic jersey, he gave McKee's ball back.

The Eagles selected McKee as a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The former Stanford Cardinal QB played 23 games for the program before entering the draft. McKee moved up the depth chart after Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion last week and left the game against the Washington Commanders. The Eagles went on to lose that game 36-33 after allowing Jayden Daniels to lead the Commanders to a 22-point rally in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles bounced back this week with a strong performance over the struggling Cowboys. McKee even threw another touchdown in the fourth quarter, finding wide receiver DeVonta Smith for a 25-yard touchdown pass — the second of his career. The Eagles won the game 41-7 and clinched the NFC East title in the process.

Conor Killmurray

Conor Killmurray is a long-suffering fan of New York sports, particularly the Giants and Mets—a potent combination for heartbreak, if you ask him. He graduated from West Chester University with a degree in English and enjoys searching for the most interesting sports stories to write about.

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