The five worst touchdown celebrations that led to fumbles

Indianapolis Colts : Jonathan Taylor

Taylor leads the league in rushing yards (480) in 2025. Last year, though, he coughed up the ball on a 41-yard touchdown run, leading to one of the Colts' nine losses last season.

Like too many other players who think about their celebration first before crossing the goal line, Taylor was dancing while announcers caught that he may have lost the ball early. Taylor seems to have grown from that mistake, though, as he's recorded six rushing touchdowns this year and hasn't turned the ball over, yet.

Philadelphia Eagles : DeSean Jackson

The former Eagles wide receiver provided perhaps the most infamous fumble ahead of the goal line moment. In a matchup against their division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, the then-rookie caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Donovan McNabb. This gave the Eagles a short-lived five-point lead.

It was clear that Jackson tossed the ball behind him as he ran into the endzone and proceeded to dance, resulting in no touchdown. The Eagles went on to lose to the Cowboys, 41-37. While that one play didn't decide the game, it certainly became the most unfortunate moment of it. 

Dallas Cowboys: Leon Lett

The Cowboys won Super Bowl XXVII in 1993, beating the Buffalo Bills, 52-17. It's a major milestone from the franchise's heyday, but it was also a game with one of the most-watched goal-line fumbles. Defensive lineman Leon Lett found himself in a perfect scoop-and-score situation after Bills quarterback Frank Reich was sacked and left the ball on the ground.

The big man hustled his way to the end zone, but before he could complete one of the most memorable touchdowns, Lett stuck the ball out with one hand in celebration. That opening allowed Bills wide receiver Don Beebe to knock the ball out of Lett's hand, resulting in a touchback. It didn't really impact the outcome of the game, but it became what Lett is remembered for among football fans. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Dave Smith

The first noteworthy celebration gone wrong came in 1971 when the Steelers faced the Kansas City Chiefs. Steelers tight end Dave Smith caught a pass from quarterback Terry Bradshaw and took it for a touchdown untouched. It's the fact that Smith was untouched that makes his fumble one of the worst.

Smith was pumping his fists before crossing the goal line. The ball was in the air and inexplicably slipped from his grasp. Smith was too slow to react, and the ball went tumbling out of the end zone for a touchback. The Steelers went on to lose that game, 38-16, and it's clear that players have yet to learn from the mistakes of the past.