At the end of the first half of the Chicago Bears game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bears defensive back Marcus Cooper made one of the most bizarre plays that we’ve seen in a while.
Cooper had an easy touchdown, but he inexplicably came to a near complete stop well before the end zone. He was stripped by Vance McDonald, turning Cooper in to this generation’s Leon Lett.
Wow. #PITvsCHI https://t.co/gG6Ry6Uylr
— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2017
Only, the madness didn’t stop there. The play was initially ruled a touchback, then was turned into an illegal bat, triggering an untimed down. Of course, Leno Charles committed a false start, prompting the Bears to kick a field goal.
lmao the play explanation #PITvsCHI pic.twitter.com/yBaduLgb9H
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) September 24, 2017
Naturally, Twitter had some strong opinions for Cooper on the play.
Marcus Cooper should be cut immediately. There is zero excuse for that play & no room for that on this team. #Bears
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) September 24, 2017
Marcus Cooper! 😂😂😂 that was something phony that would happen in madden.
— Neo ♊️ (@KneeUhMyYah) September 24, 2017
#marcuscooper #dumbass pic.twitter.com/6kgf1X0ZRG
— Eric Polin (@ericpolin) September 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/SuperDave2782/status/912025498628362240
congratulations 1st-ballot Halas Hall Of Famer Marcus Cooper Sr.
u did it "Da Bears Way"
— Josh Cellars (@Jheri_Seinfeld) September 24, 2017
WHAT WAS MARCUS COOPER THINKING YOU HAD 3 YARDS TO GO #PITvsCHI #DaBears pic.twitter.com/BSPWBAZY4h
— Pablo 🤙🏽 (@LukeRahaman) September 24, 2017
Based on the #Bears offense this year, maybe Marcus Cooper was confused/scared when he saw the end zone? #WhatIsTHAT?? #CHIvsPIT
— Scott A. Andresen (@ScottAndresen) September 24, 2017
— David (@dsvazquezv) September 24, 2017
Of course, as is so often the case today, an old tweet from Cooper makes this look even worse.
Aint that right, Marcus #Bears pic.twitter.com/mauoHpaOiT
— Freezing Cold Takes (@OldTakesExposed) September 24, 2017
The NFL has issued a drug test to Marcus Cooper following today's game https://t.co/0VQkOIYnfl
— JAKE WILLIAMS (@mylifeisjake) September 24, 2017
A truly unforgettable play, indeed. It will be interesting to see what Cooper says about the whole ordeal when this game is over.