An NFL team is equipped with 53 players and many different coaches and staff members on the sidelines. But sometimes, it's the people behind the scenes that make the biggest impact.
On Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, the Denver Broncos got a somewhat miraculous play
that changed the game. It was so unlikely that most people, including the man who made the play, Devon Key, didn't even realize what actually happened.Key intercepted the first pass of his career. But it wasn't your standard interception. It was first-and-goal from the Broncos' one-yard line. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young dropped back to pass and threw into the back left corner of the end zone, looking for tight end Tommy Tremble. Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad had coverage
and Tremble stumbled, going to the ground. As he did, the ball deflected off his forearm, never touching the ground, and towards Key, who plucked it out of the air before it could hit the ground.
It was one of the wildest plays you'll ever see.
After the game, coach Sean Payton handed a game ball to Evan Rothstein, the team's director of game management.
Sean Payton gave director of game management Evan Rothstein a game ball for calling down to challenge and explained the process. pic.twitter.com/PVV0PRBHbw
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) November 8, 2026
Sean Payton gives game ball to unlikely hero
"I just gave Evan (Rothstein) a game ball," said Payton. "That was a hard one for any of us to see and my concern was, ya know, was anyone able to see that I threw it (the challenge flag) before the play was snapped? Fortunately, New York can... It's obviously a big play. Sometimes it's a slower feedback, depending on the game you're playing. Like, ya know, if you're playing on Sunday night or if you're playing on Monday, that information might come quicker, but it was really important, and it was an amazing play that was his (Devon Key) first NFL interception and I gave him a game ball in there and I kind of just left it real low on the ground and he caught it, but, I mean, a huge play."
Rothstein has been with the Broncos since last season, having been part of the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots' organizations prior. This year, his title is director of game management and assistant quarterbacks coach. He will be a name to remember, as things like this can easily help a young coach rise the ranks.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Sean Payton gave game ball to unsung hero after game-flipping challenge
