Rabbit Taylor-Demerson just shook his head as he recalled the play.
"It definitely was a one-on-a-million situation," the safety said.
Taylor-Demerson was, of course, talking about his interception against the Titans that he ended up fumbling away untouched, and in the ensuing cacophony of the play, turned into a touchdown for the Titans. The pick was an athletic achievement, bending back on a tipped pass to snare it. Rabbit never was quite on balance, but he was athletic enough to tuck the ball under his arm and take three steps before he fell to the ground.
That was enough to make it a "catch," and why when the ball popped out as he hit the turf if was a fumble and not an incompletion.
The Cardinals were winning the game, 21-12, at that point, and the turnover would've all but sealed the win. Seconds later, the ball loose, it was accidently kicked by cornerback Kei'Trel Clark in his haste to get the ball, and Clark, Taylor-Demerson, Budda Baker and Will Johnson all were close to the ball as it trickled into the end zone -- where Titans receiver Tyler Lockett fell on it.
"When it happened and the ball came out, I'm like, this isn't college anymore, I've got to get it," Taylor-Demerson said. "And everybody is trying to jump on it. Came off coverage, made a great play … that's the beautiful thing about this sport. That ball doesn't go your way all the time, and that's a perfect example."
The Cardinals have made getting takeaways a major focus. The interception was the play they were looking for. Having it be a giveaway a second later was not.
"I'll be a better player for it," he said. "We work so hard to get the ball. When you intercept the ball the rest of the 10 guys are like excited we get to get off the field. Everything happened so fast and they ended up getting a touchdown. It is what it is. I know the first thing I'm think when I catch the ball is get yards or score."
As Taylor-Demerson spoke, veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell walked by. "I told big Calais, he's got three (all-time interceptions), I've got two, so I have to catch Big Calais," he said. "Then I have to work on getting a touchdown."
A touchdown for the Cardinals, of course. Not a wacky result for the opponent.
