Former TCU running back should be benched for his NFL mistake, ESPN pundit says
ESPN “First Take” commentator Stephen A. Smith had harsh words for former TCU running back Emari Demercado after a crucial mistake in the Arizona Cardinals’ 22-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
“I’d bench his ass,” Smith said. “Somebody got to say it, so I’ll say it. That’s what I would do. You know why, because at some point in time, there’s some coach that has to step up and do it on behalf of the league, on behalf of the institution. ... That’s what we’re discovering when we see some of these boneheaded mistakes that actually take place. You’re so caught up in you, you, you, that you’re not afraid enough of messing it up for your team.”
What did Demercado do to elicit this reaction?
The TCU product had seemingly iced the victory for the Cardinals with a 72-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter to put his team up 27-6 with the extra point pending.
However, in premature celebration, Demercado tossed the ball out of the back of the end zone before crossing the goal line, negating the touchdown and giving the Titans a touchback and the chance they needed to mount a comeback.
The running back took full responsibility for the mistake.
“I just made a mistake,” Demercado said. “There’s really no excuse. Just let the ball go. Obviously emotional, big play, but I just got to be smarter.”
After the play, head coach Jonathan Gannon was incensed and could be seen confronting the running back
Demercado is in his third season with Arizona after being undrafted in 2023. Sunday’s infamous play, which goes in the books as a 71-yard run and fumble, was the longest rush of his career.
He has seven carries for 89 yards this season and 89 carries for 596 yards (6.7 yards per carry) and three touchdowns for his career.
In five seasons at TCU, Demercado rushed for 1,615 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 40 passes for 277 yards and another score.
The Cardinals (2-3) will try to snap a three-game losing streak against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
