Besides diving for a touchdown catch with one hand, Beckham Jr. had to fight off two defenders, who were flagged for pass interference on the play.
I’m not alone in proclaiming such a title on tonight’s Beckham Jr. highlight. Right after the receiver made the catch, during the broadcast NBC’s Cris Collinsworth exclaimed: “That may be the greatest catch I’ve ever seen in my life.”
On the first play of the second quarter, Giants QB Eli Manning dropped back and launched the ball 50 yards in double coverage toward the sideline, right where Beckham Jr. was squaring off against two defenders. It looked as if the ball was overthrown but the high-flying receiver dove and snagged the ball out of the air WITH ONE HAND.
I’m also not one to overuse all-caps, but this is warranted. Whether you’re an NFL zealot or a passer-by on Sunday football, it’s hard to overlook the pure athleticism in this catch. Beckham Jr. is trying to stop a speedy descending football with just his thumb and forefinger, essentially. His palm alone couldn’t handle the force of such a sharp trajectory. And oh, it was a touchdown catch.
Already, photos are surfacing online showing how he made a ridiculous play with just two fingers:
If that photo and embedded video isn’t alone in convincing you of the new winner of the Best Catch Forever Award, I invite you to change my mind. Yes, we have seen Randy Moss and Calvin Johnson and Jerry Rice all perform the near impossible; but with tonight’s catch, there was something electrifying about it…and also something super-human.
And in case you didn’t know much about the star player behind this incredible catch, Beckham Jr. is an LSU grad who got drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Due to of a hamstring injury, Beckham didn’t play until week 5.
The receiver hinted this kind of jaw-dropper would come. Check out this Vine showing him during practice, casually making one-handed catches.
The Cowboys prevailed over the Giants, though, winning 31-28 in a nail-biter.
Odell Beckham Jr. – 2014 Receiving Yards by Game | FindTheBest
