Jets CB DJ Reed's reason for celebrating interception in blowout loss was 'much deeper than football'

The New York Jets did not have a good Week 1, losing 24-9 to the Baltimore Ravens in front of their own fans. But amid that blowout loss, CB DJ Reed was able to create a special moment to pay tribute to someone he lost.

With under three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson reared back and launched the ball downfield. The pass was meant for wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, but Reed was right in front of him, and when they both jumped up to catch the ball, Reed is the one who came down with it. Even though the Jets were losing badly (the score at that time was 24-3), Reed knelt down at midfield, bowed his head, and then raised his arms to the sky.

Some people watching may have thought a celebration like that wasn't appropriate since the Jets were down 21 points with 2:42 left in the game. But Reed had a good reason for doing what he did. He was paying tribute to his father, who had died right before the game started. Reed shared this info in an interview with Otis Livingston, the sports director at CBS2-New York.

“My dad passed away literally right before this game," Reed said. "I was emotional, still emotional… that pick was for my dad. It wasn’t celebrating… that was much deeper than football.”

Once Livingston posted his interview with Reed on Twitter, fans were sending their condolences, and some were even apologizing for criticizing him.

Reed tweeted a video of the pick right after the game ended, and sent it to his father.