For a brief moment on Saturday toward the end of the Ravens' division-clinching romp over the Browns, football fans everywhere had a reason for excitement: Big man with the ball.
Baltimore's 355-pound defensive tackle Michael Pierce had just secured his first career interception with the potential to put an exclamation point with a historic rumble to pay dirt.
But a viral return was for naught, as Pierce quickly slid to the turf for a return of just six yards before being mobbed by teammates on the sideline.
"There's a long history of turning big-guy interceptions and fumbles and all that stuff into memes," Pierce explained after the game. "At the risk of ruining a career play like that for myself, it's time to go home. So, the bus was out of gas. We're good."
With just over two minutes remaining in the Ravens' 35-10 win, Pierce drifted back into coverage and jumped a Bailey Zappe pass attempt to Jacob Kibodi like a seasoned defensive back.
"I'm glad I caught it, more importantly," Pierce said. "I'm gonna be honest -- I don't want to curse a lot on TV -- but oh s-word, you know what I'm saying? Oh my god, he really threw this football.
"I got fairly decent hands. I'm glad I caught it, and like I said, coach preaches smart football, and like I said I don't want to end up on a meme on Instagram, my wife and everybody laughing at me. So we did the right thing and kept it moving."
The snag had the Ravens' coaches in the booth cheering like they were in the M&T Bank Stadium stands and embodied Baltimore's complete performance in Saturday's blowout.
"The most amazing play," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters. "The most crazy, amazing play in NFL history."
