Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Michael Pierce intercepted the first pass of his career Saturday in the team’s dominant victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Pierce’s interception of Bailey Zappe ended the game for good. Pierce caught the pass and looked like he had an opening if he wanted to try to return it for a touchdown. But after running six yards, the 355-pounder gave up on a slide and celebrated instead.
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The Ravens’ Michael Pierce celebrates with Brent Urban after a sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Baltimore. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Pierce was asked why he didn’t return the ball.
“There’s a long history of turning big guys’ interceptions, fumbles and all that into memes,” he said via NFL.com. “At the risk of ruining a move like that in my career, it’s time to go home. So the bus’s out of gas. We’re good.”
Pierce joined the Ravens in 2016 as an undrafted free agent. He became a starter in 2017 and played one season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 before returning to the Ravens. Saturday’s game was the 99th of his career.
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“I’m glad I caught it, and more importantly,” he added. “I’m going to be honest, I don’t want to say a lot of bad words on TV, but, oh, word, do you know what I’m saying? Oh my God, he really threw this football.
“I have pretty decent hands. I’m glad I caught it and, like I said, the coach preaches smart football and, like I said, I don’t want to end up in a meme on Instagram, my wife and everyone laughs at it. So we did the right thing and kept going.” forward”.
Ravens running back Derrick Henry is congratulated by Lamar Jackson after scoring against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Baltimore won the game 35-10.
