Vasher returns missed field goal for longest play in NFL history
In the longest play in NFL history, Chicago Bears defensive back Nathan Vasher returned a missed field goal 108 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half against the San Francisco 49ers.
When Joe Nedney’s 52-yard attempt went wide right in a strong wind, Vasher caught the ball over his shoulder, hesitated momentarily whether to come out of the end zone, sprinted to the 15 and then reversed his field with a spin, picking up a convoy of blockers.
Getting blocks down the sideline from Lance Briggs and Chris Harris, Vasher weaved his way past the 49ers for a stunning touchdown that gave the Bears a 7-3 lead at halftime.
The previous longest play was also a return of a missed field goal, 107 yards by Baltimore’s Chris McAlister against Denver on Sept. 30, 2002.
Giants co-owner Tisch reportedly near death
Just three weeks after co-owner Wellington Mara died of cancer, the Giants are bracing for another personal loss.
Robert Tisch, 79, the team’s co-owner since 1991, is reportedly near death after an 18-month battle with inoperable brain cancer.
On Saturday, Tiki Barber, Michael Strahan, coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Ernie Accorsi visited Tisch at his Manhattan home. John Mara, the team’s executive vice president, planned to visit Sunday night after the Giants’ 24-21 loss to the Vikings.
Coughlin addressed the situation after Sunday’s game.
“First of all, we’re very sad with Mr. Tisch’s health situation and we have been hoping beyond hope that things would get better,” Coughlin said. “I got word coming off the field Friday that it was not the case, that he was very ill. Just as I wanted the team to be aware of the situation with Mr. Mara, I told them Saturday morning.”
Robert Tisch bought 50 percent of the Giants from Wellington Mara’s nephew, Tim. Until then he had been the head of Loews Corporation had and a stint as United States Postmaster General from 1986 to 1988.
Manning and Harrison top 10,000-yard mark
Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison became the first NFL quarterback-wide receiver tandem to hook up for more than 10,000 yards.
The milestone play occurred midway through the third quarter against Houston when Harrison caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Manning.
Harrison caught seven passes for 108 yards and one touchdown in the Colts’ 31-17 victory. Manning and Harrison have now hooked up on 755 completions for 10,034 yards and 90 TDs.
Around the league
Steelers leading rusher Willie Parker was held out of the game against Cleveland with a sprained ankle, and Duce Staley got the start. … Browns cornerback Daylon McCutcheon sustained an abdominal injury while colliding with Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward and was taken off the field on a cart midway through the first quarter. … Bills quarterback Kelly Holcomb left the game with a severe concussion against Kansas City. … Bears running back Cedric Benson sprained his knee against the 49ers and didn’t play in the second half. … Vikings coach Mike Tice suffered a sprained or torn MCL when he got knocked over on the sideline during the game.