That 2002 Browns vs. Chiefs game might be one of the craziest endings in NFL history. Cleveland was leading 39–37 with the clock hitting zero, and Browns linebacker Dwayne Rudd appeared to sack Chiefs quarterback Trent Green to end the game. Rudd thought he had just sealed the victory, so he ripped off his helmet and threw it in celebration. The problem was Green had actually gotten the ball away at the last second, lateraling it to offensive tackle John Tait, who took the ball 28 yards downfield.
Because Rudd threw his helmet before the play was officially over, he was hit with an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty. Since an accepted defensive penalty couldn’t end the game, Kansas City got one untimed play from much closer range. Morten Andersen then drilled a 30-yard field goal to give the Chiefs a 40–39 victory, turning what looked like a guaranteed Browns win into one of the most brutal collapses fans had ever seen. Rudd went from thinking he was the hero to becoming the face of the...
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