Bert Emanuel is a name that goes down in NFL lore.
His son, Bert Emanuel Jr., is looking to create his own slice of history and is off to a stunning start as a freshman at Central Michigan.
The dad is best remembered for a play in the 1999 NFC Championship Game.
Shaun King’s pass would have put the Bucs at the Rams’ 23-yard line with time to take shots at the end zone late in the game.
However, it was reviewed and ruled incomplete leading to the Bert Emanuel Rule.
It took more than 90 seconds. It was the NFL’s first season with instant replay, but no replays were shown inside the TWA Dome.
John Madden said on the Fox broadcast, “I don’t think you can take that one away.”
The call was overturned. It was ruled an incomplete pass because while Emanuel maintained control of the pass, the tip of the ball touched the ground.
Fast forward to Nov. 9, 2022, in a MAC game.
The son rushed for 293 yards, including a stunning 87-yard TD run in a 31-27 win over Buffalo. He was part of a three-man quarterback rotation.
BERT EMANUEL JR. 🚨
He somehow stays up and takes it 87 yards to tie the game! pic.twitter.com/H29PtSvZN4
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 10, 2022
Emanuel’s 293 yards came on 24 carries in the absence of leading rusher Lew Nichols III, who missed the game with a toe injury.
