It is a moment etched in NFL lore, to the point that last season we here at SB Nation not only wrote about it, but the brilliant minds at Secret Base put together a “Rewinder” installment covering it. That moment, of course, Leon Lett’s special teams breakdown in the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day loss to the Miami Dolphins in 1993. Last November marked the 30th anniversary of Lett’s decision to try and scoop up a loose football after the Cowboys blocked Miami’s game-winning field goal attempt, but Lett failed to corral the loose ball, and the Dolphins recovered.
Miami converted the subsequent field goal from 19 yards out to win by a final score of 16-14.
Fast forward to Monday Night Football last night between the Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals. With both teams entering the contest with losing records and facing slim odds of qualifying for the playoffs, perhaps the most notable aspect of the game was The Simpsons alternate broadcast, which did provide some incredible moments such as Ralph Wiggum catching a touchdown and Moe Szyslak demonstrating perfect technique as a linebacker.
With two minutes left in the game the score was knotted at 20-20, and the Bengals, facing 4th and 27, were forced to punt from deep in their own territory. Dallas linebacker Nick Vigil sliced through the Cincinnati protection scheme to block the punt, presumably gifting the Cowboys incredible field position.
That is when Leon Lett’s specter appeared.
Rather than get away from the football, which would have given Dallas possession inside Cincinnati territory, Amani Oruwariye tried to field the loose football. He could not secure the ball, and it deflected off his arms and into the clutches of Bengals reserve linebacker Maema Njongmeta:
Instead of Dallas facing a 1st-and-10 situation inside Cincinnati territory, the Bengals began another drive at their own 43-yard line.
A few plays later Bart Simpson connected with his sister Lisa … or Joe Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase, on the game-winning touchdown:
And now, The Simpsons’ version:
Those who do not remember their franchise history are doomed to repeat it.
