NFL rookie's stellar debut earns huge social media boost
Just how good did things go for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens during his NFL debut Thursday night?
Before the game started, no one knew who he was – by the third quarter, everyone was treating him like a household name.
Mullens’ success in the first half of Thursday’s blowout victory against the Oakland Raiders caught plenty of people’s attention.
In an attempt to capitalise on Mullens’ new-found popularity, even Twitter embraced the 49ers quarterback – with the site verifying Mullens’ Twitter account during the game:
Nick Mullens started the game with only 4,300+ followers & unverified. He is now verified & has 13.5k twitter followers. John Gruden out here getting dudes verified on social media. pic.twitter.com/YwyC2MV6Ee
— Thanos (@FightOnTwist) November 2, 2018
Operation #GetNickMullensVerified already SUCCEEDED 😱😱😱
The football world thanks you, @Twitter. pic.twitter.com/tMsYRpSzut
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 2, 2018
Given how well Mullens played, it’s tough to argue with Twitter’s decision. The 23-year-old Mullens threw for 262 yards and three touchdowns in the 49ers’ 34-3 win over the Raiders.
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What’s next for Mullens? After enjoying his extra Twitter followers, Mullens will have to figure out if he’s going to be the starter moving forward. He only started Thursday’s game because C.J. Beathard was injured
If he gets that opportunity, Mullens will have to prove his debut was legit.
It’s one thing to dominate the Raiders. It’s another to go off against a team that will play hard for the entire game.
‘Snapped in half’: NFL player’s horror injury
San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert saw a difficult end to a big night when he left the game against the Oakland Raiders with a gruesome arm injury.
Mostert had tallied 86 yards and a touchdown on seven carries as the 49ers were rolling against the Raiders, when he got tripped up on a run and fell awkwardly on his right arm in the third quarter.
Replays broadcast to viewers showed his arm mangled during the play, with many unable to handle the squeamish footage:
Damn. Unfortunate for Mostert.
— Lennon's dad ☕️ (@bCrosat22) November 2, 2018
That injury mostert suffered tonight was very gruesome. Reminds me of something you would see on MTV's scarred.
— Obie (@Cashmoneyobie) November 2, 2018
I hate to see an injury like Mostert had tonight. That is hard to watch any player hurt like that.
— Thomas Russell (@TopShelfTom22) November 2, 2018
Prayers up to Raheem Mostert that's a gruesome injury. Wish you a speedy recovery @RMos_8Ball. Dudes gonna come back strong 💯
— Carter Raabe (@MuktownYoungboi) November 2, 2018
That Raheem Mostert injury might be the worst football injury I’ve ever seen.
— Cocks With Socks (@CocksWithSocks) November 2, 2018
Mostert’s arm snapped in half…just like the raiders pride
— darren huynh (@Rvmenboi) November 2, 2018
Somehow though, Mostert managed to hold onto the ball throughout the horrific ordeal.
But his screams could be heard on the live broadcast, with even players on the field reacting to the unfortunate injury:
Jalen Richard when he saw Mostert’s arm snap 💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/ZSefd50oym
— Houssain Sareini (@hms27) November 2, 2018
The little-used running back had tallied 175 rushing yards on the season prior to the game, the bulk of his 211 career rushing yards since joining the NFL in 2015.
And on Friday, he scored his first NFL touchdown before the disaster struck.
He left the field wearing an air cast, with head coach Kyle Shanahan confirming after the game he had suffered a broken arm and will most likely be out for the remainder of the season.
with Yahoo Sports US.
