Carolina receiver Devin Funchess had 5 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns Monday night in the Panthers' 45-21 victory over the Miami Dolphins. However, the stats weren't nearly as impressive as the inspiration behind them.
Following practice Sunday, the Panthers met with families of soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The story of one family in particular struck a chord with Funchess.
Sgt. Dillon Baldridge was just 22 years old when he was killed June 10 during an operation in Nangahar Province, Afghanistan.
"I'm two months older than [Dillon]," Funchess told reporters. "He was a top-notch shooter. He was a sniper. His mom said he was the most joyful boy you'd ever meet. It was an honor meeting her. Just five months ago he passed away.
"I told Dillon's mom that I was going to get in the end zone for her," Funchess continued. "That's what I did. I made sure she got the first touchdown [ball]."
Normally, when the Panthers score a touchdown, quarterback Cam Newton gives the football to a kid in the stands. But after Funchess scored on a 28-yard pass in the third quarter, he leaned over to say something to Newton, who quickly nodded. Then Funchess saluted the crowd and took the ball to the sidelines, where he gave it to a Panthers employee to hold for Baldridge's mother, Tina Palmer.
After the game, Funchess found Palmer and gave her the ball. He then documented their meeting in an Instagram post with a picture taken of his third-quarter salute.
"Why we really play the game! Promised Tina Palmer Sunday I was goig to get in the endzone for my fallen soldier SGT Dillon Baldridge (her son) its more than a game! A moment she will remember for a lifetime! Blessings," Funchess posted.
No sour grapes
Several Cleveland Browns players said Wednesday they feel disrespected by Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson's harsh comments about the team, and the topic was discussed by coaches Doug Marrone and Hue Jackson with their respective teams.
Gipson was a Pro Bowler with the Browns before the team chose not to re-sign him as a free agent after the 2015 season.
In an interview on ESPN Radio's Freddie and Fitz on Monday, Gipson took some swipes at Cleveland's front office for letting him leave, predicted the Jaguars would score 40 points this Sunday against the NFL's only winless team and said he believed the Browns will "probably go 0-16."
Gipson admitted to members of the media in Cleveland on Wednesday that his radio comments were "probably out of turn" and clarified that his remarks were directed at the Browns' front office. But he said he "stands by my comments that we'll be 1-0 on Sunday."
Marrone said he addressed Gipson's comments with his team and that the safety will not be disciplined.
"Obviously, I addressed it with the team today," Marrone said on a conference call with media members who cover the Browns. "That's not something that we like to do as a team. It's been addressed, and we understand that it is going to be very difficult for us to go on the road and win a football game."
Jackson also addressed Gipson's comments with his team.
"You bet your bottom dollar I did," Jackson said, according to WOIO-TV in Cleveland. "I don't think we need any motivation. We are an 0-9 football team, so I don't think we are looking for anything. The opportunity to play is motivation enough for this football team. We want to win. That is what it is all about."
Sports quiz
Where did Devin Funchess play college football?
Answer
Funchess was a wide receiver at Michigan.
Sports on 11/17/2017