Every good big man needs an elite pump fake. Just ask Jimmy Graham.
The Saints tight end has typically capped off his forays into the end zone with a kiss, tapping crossbar while sending the ball through the goalposts in a routine similar to that of a player dunking a basketball.
But after scoring his first touchdown in old gold since 2014 during New Orleans’ last preseason game vs. the Texans, Graham opted for a more subdued reaction. Instead of shattering the target with his dunking excellence, Graham took the safer approach, keeping the ball in his hand instead of launching it to the heavens.
MORE: Saints say Jimmy Graham suffered seizure during ‘medical episode’ that led to arrest
Check out the score and the celly here:
JUMP BALL JIMMY GRAHAM.
(and the pump fake dunk 😂)
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/ZGV5seCXOT
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 28, 2023
It was classic Graham, the sort of image that Saints fans had come to embrace during the 36-year old tight end’s glittering first spell with the franchise. Graham spent his first five years in the NFL in the Big Easy. In that time, he bagged 51 touchdowns. Many of them resembled the score he tallied against Houston; Graham was an expert at using his hulking frame to abuse weary defensive backs.
Perhaps that comes from his basketball background. Graham was a hooper in every sense of the word growing up. He famously played basketball during each of his four years at Miami, starting 40 games for Frank Haith’s Hurricanes. As a bruising forward, Graham was used to boxing people out in space. That seems to have served him well in his football career.
MORE: Why the Saints signed Jimmy Graham, explained
Graham showed off all the makings of his old self on Sunday. He reeled in an additional two catches during the game, including this sumptuous back-shoulder grab to get the Saints into the red zone.
THAT’S JIMMY GRAHAM.
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/GP7yCgGrXY
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 28, 2023
Graham has had a hectic comeback, reportedly suffering a seizure during a “medical episode” that led to his arrest.
On Sunday, though, he turned back the clock. And if a more conservative approach to his celebrations can keep him on the field, I’m sure New Orleans fans wouldn’t mind too much. Neither would the goalposts.