Undrafted New York Jets rookie Xavier Gipson went viral last week on HBO's "Hard Knocks" when he was informed he'd made the team.
On Monday night, Gipson's game-winning play in overtime against the Buffalo Bills made him a viral star again.
Gipson returned a punt for 65 yards and a touchdown to cap off a wild 22-16 comeback victory over the Bills.
With Aaron Rodgers in the locker room after suffering a suspected Achilles injury four snaps into his Jets debut, New York fell behind 13-3 going into halftime but fought back in the second half.
Backup QB Zach Wilson found Garrett Wilson in the end zone to tie the game with 4:55 remaining. Greg Zuerlein put the Jets in front with a field goal minutes later, but Tyler Bass made a 50-yard kick with two seconds left to force overtime.
After the Bills went three-and-out in overtime, Gipson returned a punt to the end zone for the walk-off victory.
Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Desean Jackson, who knows a thing or two about game-winning punt return TDs at MetLife Stadium, shared his reaction on social media:
THATS HOW YOU RETURN A PUNT #82
— Desean Jackson (@DeSeanJackson10) September 12, 2023
BALLGAME!
Former Jets signal-caller Mark Sanchez was also locked in on the big win:
JETS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!
— Mark Sanchez (@Mark_Sanchez) September 12, 2023
And Coach Saleh has some wheels! He beat some of the players on the return team to the end zone!
— Mark Sanchez (@Mark_Sanchez) September 12, 2023
Jackson and Sanchez weren't the only members of the sports world stunned by the walk-off win:
WOW WOW WOW!!!
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 12, 2023
NFL IS BACK!!!
WOWWW
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 12, 2023
WHAT A GAME.
My goodness.
Wowwwwwwwwww
— Asante Samuel Sr. (@pick_six22) September 12, 2023
I pray the NFL script writers never go on strike. we love you. 🫢
— Brandon Boykin (@BrandonBoykin2) September 12, 2023
The sports world also reacted to Rodgers' shocking exit from the game with what the Jets suspect is an Achilles tendon injury. The quarterback is scheduled to have an MRI on Tuesday.
Rodgers' former Green Bay Packers teammate David Bakhtiari criticized the NFL's turf rules.
Congrats @nfl. How many more players have to get hurt on ARTIFICIAL TURF??! You care more about soccer players than us. You plan to remove all artificial turf for the World Cup coming up. So clearly it's feasible.
— David Bakhtiari (@DavidBakhtiari) September 12, 2023
I'm sick of this..Do better!
The sports world sent well-wishes to Rogers on social media:
Hate that, man... Praying for the best 🙏🏽
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) September 12, 2023
Man you hate to see that.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 12, 2023
Injuries suck.
I'm so sick right now. Get well soon 8...
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) September 12, 2023
You just can't make this up.
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) September 12, 2023
