NY Jets CB D.J. Reed reveals reason for oddly-timed celebration following blowout loss

D.J. Reed played Week 1's game with an extremely heavy heart.

Indeed, fust before the Jets were introduced in their home opener, the cornerback received some texts from his family that his father had passed away after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. Reed broke down and cried during the national anthem.

The Jets lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 24-9, but the 25-year-old was one of the bright spots. He didn't allow a receiver to catch a ball on him and made an acrobatic interception late in the game. Reed caught some flak on social media for the manner in which he responded -- he knelt on the NFL logo at midfield, raised both arms and looked to the sky -- but this wasn't a "me" guy celebrating in a blowout loss. It was for his father, as he revealed after the game.

"I honestly forgot about the score," he said. "I don't want to say I didn't care, because I care about winning, but it was deeper than football when I got the interception. I wanted to pay tribute to my dad."


That will continue.

"This season is for my dad," he said.

Here is a clip explaining the situation. What a strong man Reed is.