Khalen Saunders, the defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints, made a crucial play during Monday night’s game by intercepting a pass in the end zone, preventing what could have been a touchdown for the Kansas City Chiefs. Following the interception, Saunders demonstrated remarkable speed for his size by returning the ball 37 yards.
Weighing in at 324 pounds, Saunders recalled his days as a high school running back, joking that he considered taking the interception all the way to the end zone like he did in his youth. However, he noted that covering more than 100 yards would have been quite the challenge given his current weight and stamina.
“The running back days flashed in my head. That was 101, though, that’s a long way to go,” Saunders admitted. “It was a good return; I wish I could’ve taken it all the way.”
He credited the Saints’ head coach, Dennis Allen, for instilling a mentality focused on making big plays even in critical moments. “DA always preaches defending every blade of grass, so that was on my mind,” Saunders said. “When you’re around the ball, good things happen, so I was just trying to get around the ball.”
The NFL record for the longest interception return by a player weighing over 300 pounds is held by Dan Wilkinson, who returned a pick 88 yards for Washington in 1999. While that feat may stand unchallenged, Saunders’ performance on Monday night showcased his impressive abilities on the field.