Do you smell what Golden Tate is cooking?
The Detroit Lions wide receiver pulled off the first highlight-reel play of Sunday’s slate, catching a short pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford and proceeding to roast the New Orleans Saints’ defense for a 45-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
How, @showtimetate? HOW?
Unbelievable TD for the @Lions. #OnePride https://t.co/UUHCTtbOAp
— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2017
But never mind the broken tackles, sideline tight-roping and a full flip into the end zone — the best part of Tate’s touchdown came after he hit paydirt.
The Lions wideout did his best impersonation of The Rock, giving the football a mean “People’s Elbow.”
.@ShowtimeTate comes hard with the People's Elbow. 😂#NFLCelebrations https://t.co/SrqLaqCWRd
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 15, 2017
That’s an “A” for creativity and execution, Golden.
UPDATE (2:45 p.m. ET): The Rock approves.
Heart stoppin’, elbow droppin’.. @ShowtimeTate brings the dangerously exposed elbow to the pigskin today. 👏🏾👍🏾👊🏾 #PeoplesElbow @NFL https://t.co/ZLAmJigvDl
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) October 15, 2017
Thumbnail photo via Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports Images