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KhaDarel Hodge had no words to describe what transpired on Thursday night in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Hodge, in his seventh NFL season, did not have a single reception on the season for the Falcons to begin the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, after securing his second catch of the night in what was a career night for quarterback Kirk Cousins, Hodge broke a tackle and saw daylight.
It was overtime, he had a chance to win the game with a touchdown, and he did exactly that as he hit a burst of speed past all the Bucs defenders to send the Falcons home crowd into a frenzy.
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, #12, walks off the field after a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
Hodge was lifted in the air by his teammates, while the entire stadium was celebrating as the Falcons improved to 3-2, while the Bucs own the same record now.
During a post-game interview on "Thursday Night Football," Hodge was asked to describe his game-winning score – a 45-yard catch-and-run – and he initially could not find the words.
Then, he turned to his faith.
"God is real, God is good. I prayed for this," he said to Prime Video's Kaylee Hartung. "I can’t even - I don’t even know what to say right now, bro. It’s so surreal. God is real, that’s all I can say. I prayed for this. I pray for this every week. I’m still soaking it in right now."
As Hodge caught his breath, still staring into the stands with tear-filled eyes, he discussed the opportunity he knew he had to capitalize on after Drake London, his star teammate who had 12 catches for 154 yards with a touchdown, went down with an injury.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, #12, celebrates his touchdown off a New Orleans Saints fumble during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
"I knew I had to step in," Hodge said. "[London] went down, I knew I had to step in for my brother and for my team. I gotta do what I need to do, take advantage of my opps. God was on my side, I just did what I had to do."
Hodge, a 29-year-old undrafted free agent who is in his third season with the Falcons, had just one receiving touchdown in 93 career games before breaking the goal line to cause a massive celebration in Atlanta.
He made the most of his opportunity when his number was called, which is all any athlete wants to do.
KhaDarel Hodge, #12 of the Atlanta Falcons, reacts after recovering a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 29, 2024 in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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However, while knowing he had the skill to make a play like that come to fruition, Hodge believes faith also had a major role in seeing his once-in-a-lifetime football moment through.
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