New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders certainly isn't renowned for his speed, but perhaps he should be.
After recording an impressive interception of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during Monday Night Football, Saunders surprised football fans by turning on the jets. Saunders brought the ball out of the end zone and ended up bolting down the sideline for a near 40-yard return.
After JuJu Smith-Schuster failed to corral a pass from Mahomes near the goal line, Saunders was able to snag the ball out of the air. He then tucked the football under his arm like a running back and booked it out to the 35-yard line before being brought down.
The unexpected display of speed from Saunders, who is recorded as weighing 324 pounds, drew quite a reaction from the NFL world, including the likes of Jason Kelce and Tom Brady, who celebrated his interception on social media.
Big man pick and run.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2024
pic.twitter.com/Vv62DvHYA0
I hate that that happened, but that’s a hell of a play by former Chief @khalenNOTkaylen he was moving for a big man!!
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) October 8, 2024
Big man on the move!!!
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) October 8, 2024
Big man rumblin!!!
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 8, 2024
Hell of a return, he had to play running back in high school.
BIG MAN KHALEN SAUNDERS NEEDED THE OXYGEN MASK.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 8, 2024
😭
I love this sport. https://t.co/A7UT6eGn5Q pic.twitter.com/BMowPvPNGh
Big Man Glory!!!!!!! BMB
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) October 8, 2024
At 324 pounds, Khalen Saunders reached a top speed of 15.79 mph on his 36-yard interception, the 3rd-fastest speed by a ball carrier who weighs over 320 pounds since 2016.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 8, 2024
The interception increased the @Saints win probability from 5.1% to 15.0% (+9.9%).
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If you weren't aware of Saunders' devious speed, you certainly are now. The big man was absolutely moving after recording the first interception of his career.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Khalen Saunders' Stunning Speed After Picking Off Patrick Mahomes Left NFL World in Awe.
