Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Michael Pierce intercepted his first career pass Saturday in the team's blowout win over the Cleveland Browns.
Pierce's interception by Bailey Zappe ended the game for good. Pierce caught a pass and looked like he had an opening to try and return it for a touchdown. But after running 6 yards, the 355-pounder slid himself out and celebrated instead.
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Ravens' Michael Pierce celebrates with Brent Urban after scoring a sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 21, 2024, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Pierce was asked why he didn't return the ball.
“There's a long history of making memes out of things like big-play interceptions and fumbles,” he said. Via NFL.com. “It's time to go home, at the risk of ruining a career play like mine. So, the bus ran out of gas. We'll be fine.”
Pierce joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He became a starter in 2017 and played one season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 before returning to the Ravens. Saturday's game was the 99th of his career.
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“I'm glad I got caught, that's more important than that,” he added. “To be honest, I don't want to say too many bad things on TV, but, you know what I'm saying? Oh my god, he really threw this football.
“I got a pretty decent hand. I'm glad I made the catch. Like I said, the coach preaches smart football and I don't want to be in a meme on Instagram that my wife and everyone is laughing at. ”So we did the right thing and kept it moving. ”
Ravens running back Derrick Henry is congratulated by Lamar Jackson after scoring against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarborough)
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Baltimore won 35-10.
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