The Worst NFL Trick Play

While the Colts almost take the title thanks to their fake punt (or whatever you call what they did) against the Patriots in 2015, this title goes to Jim Zorn and Washington in 2009. Against the New York Giants, down 24-0 with 2 seconds left in the first half, Washington lined up for a field goal, before attempting an absolute embarrassment of a play. Just...it’s just the worst.

[theunwelcome]

I can't believe it wasn't the Colts' nonsense punt play... but after you present the argument that way, I kinda agree

[taskdon]

So many expected Colts-Pats but this is a play that you can't even really make an excuse...especially that they did it TWICE to get things right...

[billrobertson]

I love how the clock operators take a good 7 or so seconds to start the clock after the ball is snapped, I'm pretty sure even they had no idea wtf was going on

[Pindar]

So, Ive actually sucessfully run this play in High School football. What was supposed to happen is the punter immediately throwing the ball to the motioning kicker while the punters blockers allow the defense through like a screen pass. THEN, instead of running the ball, the kicker would have a pocket to throw the ball himself. The problem with this play is that the punter got scared and fogot what he was doing...

[scottanderson]

I consider this play a success because nobody died.

[MrShanester]

The Annexation of Puerto Rico was an awesome play though....

[bigblue]

The best part was Mike Tirico saying "What in the wide world was that?"

When I saw that play on live TV, I couldn't stop laughing my ass off the entire night.

[ryandeklerk]

For the Colts play, the center was actually the only one who knew what he was supposed to do. In the play book it said that of the QB was in shotgun, don't snap. If the QB was under center, then snap the ball. The coach told the QB to go under center to try to catch the defense offsides, but he didn't tell the center. So the center did exactly what the play book said to do in that situation and snapped the ball. This is all according to Pat Macafee

[brendan]

Okay, so looking at how Gano set up, as well as how none of the people ran up field, I think this was supposed to be a screen to Gano, but it was just a failure of execution by hunter smith.
This doesn't excuse going with it after they were expecting

[jesusridingabike]

I really thought it was gonna be colts Patriots

[iexist_]

And then, nearly 15 years later, the Giants come out of nowhere and say...
"Hold my derp".

[joeboxerrr]

that's actually pretty cool that Jim Zorn's been doing trick plays for forever

[EduardoNevesSilva]

Lmao at those guys commenting about the wrong thing before watching the video

[thomasbreazeale]

The Panthers actually ran the annexation of Puerto Rico in 2011....and it worked.

[milindbordia]

2:54 when the coach has to take you off but you forget you’re in the middle of a play

[andrewomahony]

Oh my god I remember this play...I was on my floor laughing when it happened. Jaws and Gruden were almost arguing with each other about how bad it was.

[brucemercer]

I Referee HS Football. And I once was working a 1st Round Playoff game where 1 team ran The Swinging Gate every single play until the last few minutes of the 4th Quarter where they were just running the ball to close out the WIN. I never knew there were so many options available on The Swinging Gate. It was WEIRD but also really cool because it is something that most people will NEVER see even 1 time in their whole lives... let alone try to figure out HOW to Ref the game.

Most of the time when a team uses the Swinging Gate they just Motion into it and then shifts back into a normal Field Goal/P.A.T. Formation. And then they Kick.
But they ran what I have to assume was every possible option. The Center with a Lineman to his Right would snap to the QB in Shotgun. The QB would run up the Middle.
A Wr to his Right would be the only player on that side of the Field looking for a 1-on-1 pitch and catch kind of play. 1 Wr to the Left would run deep.
Another Wr to the Left would stay behind the 3 Linemen split wide to Catch the ball for a Screen Pass. A TE would LineUp at the End of either Line.
And a Slot Back would Lineup in 3 or 4 different spots and sometimes would RUN the ball. The main options were the QB and the 3 WRs.

We had to relearn who had to watch what as an official on the fly because that formation is NOTHING like a typical play. And we only had a 5 man Crew.
We had to adjust where we stood. We had to give up certain players that are normally the guys we have to watch and get another Ref to pick them up.
AND of course we had to pick-up players we don't normally cover to help other Official. I'm just glad I wasn't the Line Judge. He always had 3 Linemen and 2 Wr's in his face.
Normally he only has 1 to 3 Wr near him and when that happens he gets help from the Back Judge shading to his side.
As an Umpire I mainly watch the Linemen all day and any Defenders that are taking on the Linemen. I had to watch the Slot Back lots of times.
And the Linesman behind me had to watch every Snap to be sure each 1 of them was Legal which is my job usually... because he only had 1 Wr on his side of the Field.

[drewengel]

You mean the illegal Philly Special with Foles lining up as an ineligible receiver.

[AaronGoodermuth]

I was getting ready to say "What about Colts-Patriots", so I'm glad you covered it. You have me convinced.

[ByloBand]

"Our poor smothered friend." LOL!