Texans safety Jalen Pitre briefly created controversy in the NFL on Sunday following an interception of Jacksonville backup quarterback C.J. Beathard.
The rookie defensive back undercut a Beathard pass late in the third quarter, stymying another Jaguars scoring opportunity with Jacksonville already leading 28-3. With little else to celebrate, Pitre decided to celebrate the play — and fooled many viewers into thinking he was cheating in the process.
Following the interception, Pitre acted as if the ball was stuck to his gloves, courtesy of an assumed illegal substance:
There goes that man 🔒 @jalenpitre1
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 1, 2023
📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/IpLAdRkIwQ
MORE: Updated 2023 NFL Draft order: Texans, Bears enter Week 18 in battle for No. 1 pick
Adding to the illusion is the fact teammate Desmond King II handed the ball to Pitre on the sideline with the glove still on it, suggesting it was stuck there illegally. But closer inspection shows the glove bounced off the ball when he dropped it in the end zone. Moreover, King can be seen holding the glove on top of the ball as he hands it to Pitre.
#NFL investigation incoming.
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) January 1, 2023
Gloves can be "sticky" but foreign substances not allowed. pic.twitter.com/vU6MpBMggz
Pitre's interception was his fifth of the season, adding to an impressive rookie campaign that has seen him make 139 tackles and a sack. That was about the only thing worth celebrating for Houston on Sunday as it fell 31-3 to the Jaguars.
The Texans (2-13-1) have one game remaining this year against the 4-11-1 Colts. Another Houston loss will guarantee the franchise the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. A win over Indianapolis, coupled with a Bears loss to the Vikings, would drop Houston to No. 2 overall behind Chicago.
