Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots marked the debut also of former Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle who was a first-round draft choice of the Miami Dolphins.
While Waddle’s former teammate Mac Jones declined the ball from his first NFL touchdown, Waddle accepted his game ball. He shared after the game that he gave the ball to his mom.
Jaylen Waddle gave the ball from his first NFL touchdown to his mom. pic.twitter.com/GIvEfwhPw4
— Ruthie Polinsky (@ruthiepolinsky) September 13, 2021
It’s been almost a year since Waddle caught a touchdown pass in a regular-season game. Waddle missed most of the 2020 season with a right ankle injury he suffered in the Tennessee game. Although he was able to come back to play briefly for Alabama in their national championship victory over Ohio State, he hasn’t caught a touchdown pass since the early part of the 2020 season.
So, fans can understand why giving his game ball to his mom was special to him.
Veteran journalist Stacey Mickles graduated from the University of Alabama and covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
