Xavier Gipson stood in the tunnel at MetLife Stadium before Sunday's game between the Jets and Seahawks, exchanging words with Kene Wang-Wu, who had just been promoted from the practice squad to the game-day roster.
“On the way out of the tunnel, we said, 'If not you, then who?' If not, when?” said Gipson, the Jets' punt returner. “He never complained. Without saying anything, I'm always upbeat and always ready for this to be my moment.”
Nwanwu, a fourth-year running back and kick returner who was signed to the Jets' practice squad in September, looked primed and ready for the moment.
He scored a touchdown on a 99-yard kick return to give the Jets a 21-7 lead in the first quarter and was one of the Jets' few bright spots in a dismal 26-21 loss to Seattle. It became.
Early in the first half, Nwanwu stole the ball from Seattle kick returner Dee Williams, which was recovered by Brandin Echols. The turnover led to the Jets' second touchdown, giving them a 14-0 lead.
“What a great story,” interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said of Nwanwu. “Kenne was a player that we've put the spotlight on the team over the last few weeks, showing his process and how hard he's worked. He earned the right to play today and the effort all came to fruition.
“[The kick return] It was a really great moment, not only for him but for the team. Because the team is really invested in that person. ”
Nwanwu has had some success in the NFL, returning four kickoffs for touchdowns and being nominated for All-Pro once.
He was a fourth-round pick out of Iowa State in 2021 and spent three years of his NFL career with the Vikings. In 2021, he led the league in kickoff return touchdowns with two and added another touchdown in 2022.
He has participated in practice as a scout team player throughout the season and has been keeping an eye on the defense. And Sunday was his first game-day moment as a Jet.
“As of Saturday's walkthrough, I knew I was going to be up,” Nwanwu said. “It's like riding a bike, making sure you're going to stand up, taking notes, being intentional in practice, getting the keys from the coach, all those kinds of things. It was good to see that reflected on game day.”
It showed great patience on Nwanwu's side for a player who has played in the league to be on the practice squad for so long.
“It's hard because I know you've played in this league before,” he said. “Yeah, I want to be out there making plays for my teammates, but at the end of the day, I know my role now. My role when I came to this team was , to give the best performance to the defense and make sure I know what I'm doing if I'm called upon.”
He called the “best part” of kick returns “celebrating with your teammates,” adding, “You can't play this game alone. Everyone made big plays there. It wasn't just me.”
It's a shame that such a cool story was overshadowed by yet another loss for the Jets.
