The Philadelphia Eagles were leading the Atlanta Falcons late in the fourth quarter and needed a crucial decision to stop the Kirk Cousins-led offense on fourth down with 5:38 left in the game.
Cousins received the snap and handed the ball off to running back Bijan Robinson. The second-year player was stopped by Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. The defensive back appeared to remove his helmet as he tried to celebrate the play.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (No. 8) watches during warmups before an NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers at Neo Quimica Arena, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Sao Paulo. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
NFL officials thought so too, throwing the flag on Gardner-Johnson, which would have given the Falcons another down and extended the drive, but Gardner-Johnson and other teammates were able to convince the officials that his helmet had accidentally flown off his head.
If the call had stood, it would have been an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Fans weren't convinced that Gardner-Johnson had intentionally removed his helmet after stopping Robinson.
Jalen Hurts shares heartfelt words for former Eagles teammate Jason Kelce: 'I love you'
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (#1) drives past Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (#8) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game on Monday, September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Instead, the Eagles, who were leading 18-15 at the time, tried to get the ball on offense and run out the clock for the remainder of the game.
Philadelphia ended its next attempt with a field goal to take the lead, but Cousins brought the Falcons back down the field for a touchdown that gave the team a 22-21 lead with under a minute left in the game.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (#1) runs for a touchdown after catching a pass from Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (#8) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on September 16, 2024. (Bill Streacher-Imagn Images)
Click here to get the FOX News app
Jalen Hurts tried to put the Eagles in scoring position but was intercepted.
Follow Fox News Digital X's sports coverage, Subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
