IN PICTURES – Five Exceptional Moments From 2023 NFL Sunday Week 1 That Featured Tom Brady, 46YO Saints ALS Survivor, and Over a Million Spectators

The NFL has made its exciting return, bringing fans memorable moments and thrilling games. Sunday Week 1 was particularly eventful, with veteran players making a strong impact.

The day featured exciting matchups, including Broncos vs. Raiders, Patriots vs. Eagles, Seahawks vs. Rams, Chargers vs. Dolphins, Bears vs. Packers, and Giants vs. Cowboys. In addition to these games, five remarkable Sunday highlights stood out during the week.

The legends are back?

Sunday brought a wave of excitement and memorable moments for NFL fans, as two NFL veterans were present on the field:

1. Tom Brady’s Patriots HOF induction:

One standout moment was Tom Brady‘s return to the field where the Patriots played against the Eagles. Despite New England’s loss to Jalen Hurts’ team, the spotlight belonged to the former Patriots quarterback. Brady’s day started with ringing the bell at the stadium before the game and continued with a halftime honor.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft, standing beside Brady at Gillette Stadium, announced that the usual four-year waiting period for Brady’s entry into the team’s Hall of Fame would be waived. Brady, who won six Super Bowls with the Patriots, spent most of his illustrious career with the franchise after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft out of Michigan.

2. Steve Gleason’s appearance:

During the Week 1 kickoff game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tennessee Titans, the Saints honored their iconic figure, Steve Gleason. Gleason, who is courageously battling ALS, was recognized as an honorary captain during the coin toss. His presence was a heartwarming moment as he stood alongside his family. Before the game, Gleason’s family met with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees and his family, as well as Tim Shaw, who is also fighting ALS. The 46-year-old shared a series of touching photos from the game on his Instagram.

Gleason played eight seasons with the Saints and retired in 2008. He secured his place in Saints’ history on September 25, 2006, during a momentous occasion. It marked the reopening of the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, and the Saints were facing off against the Falcons.

The game got off to an incredible start, surpassing the wildest dreams of New Orleans fans. Just 13 minutes and 30 seconds into the first quarter, Gleason executed a remarkable block of Michael Koenen’s punt for the Falcons. Curtis DeLoatch then recovered the blocked punt in the end zone, scoring the first touchdown of the evening.

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This historic game is fondly remembered as “Rebirth.” Apart from these two legendary events, three other surprising moments occurred in Week 1.

On-field incidents that were unexpected!

3. Tua-Tyreek comeback:

In an impressive display, Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, who aims to reach 2,000 receiving yards this season, recorded 215 yards in the Dolphins’ 36-24 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Hill’s exceptional performance complemented quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s 466-yard throw and three touchdowns.

Considering the fact that Tua has always been considered an injury-prone player, he still managed to have his best passing efficiency ratio. This time, after being suspected of suffering a concussion, Tua denied the rumors and came back strong, partnering with Hill. This dynamic duo demonstrated supreme coordination and gameplay, leading their team to a thrilling 36-34 win against the Chargers.

Apart from this, Sunday’s NFL action day witnessed an unexpected whitewash of New York and presented some significant challenges for the Ravens.

4. Jerry Jones & Cowboys 40-0 whitewash:

Jerry Jones and the Cowboys displayed an exceptional readiness for the season by delivering a resounding 40-0 victory over the Giants. Quarterback Dak Prescott, along with the two star cornerbacks on the team, ensured that the Cowboys’ ‘star’ extended beyond the team’s logo and onto the players themselves. On the other hand, it was a nightmarish outing for Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who, like Prescott, was one of the highest-paid players this offseason.

5. Ravens injury saga:

Amidst all the excitement, it was a challenging start for the Ravens and Houston Texans, as both teams faced significant injuries. The Ravens had to rule out Marcus Williams due to a left shoulder injury, which occurred in the first half. Williams, initially designated as questionable to return, was replaced by Geno Stone.

J.K. Dobbins also suffered an injury on a 5-yard reception from Lamar Jackson. His return is now uncertain due to an ankle injury. Meanwhile, the Texans ruled out Jalen Pitre with a chest injury, and M.J. Stewart took his place.

These injury setbacks have raised concerns about the future status of both teams.

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