Canadian receiver Chase Claypool was ready for the bright lights of Monday Night Football.
In his NFL debut against the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger fired downfield for Claypool. Locked in one-on-one coverage, the 22-year-old went up between two defenders, grabbed the ball and made sure to put both feet down inbounds for an impressive 28-yard reception.
An incredible catch by @ChaseClaypool on the sideline! #HereWeGo
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????: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/jSG62oMhon pic.twitter.com/gz7H1g9uTw— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2020
“A big, physical receiver that had been lacking from this attack, that’s why they got him. How about that for a first career catch? It was difficult,” ESPN play-by-play man Chris Fowler said. It was third down and nine, Claypool moved the chains and helped Pittsburgh produce a field goal on the drive. He records two catches on two targets for 39 yards while adding one rush for eight yards and a first down to end the game, part of a 26-16 Pittsburgh victory.
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— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2020
After the game-sealing play, Claypool let out a hyped up yell, it was an exhilarating performance and just a tease of what’s to come for the high upside specimen. MapleTron flexing Canadian muscle. Dreams came true tonight. Blessed beyond belief. Love y’all, Claypool wrote on Twitter after the game.
“He’s shown a lot so far, that he can be trusted. He gets to the place he’s supposed to be and he make plays,” Roethlisberger said.
“I threw it up for him knowing that it was a one-on-one ball, and he went up and made an unbelievable catch. The fact that he went up, on a defender, kept two feet inbounds, it was a big play for us.”
It appears there will be a lot of Roethlisberger to Claypool connections in the future.