UWRF student and ball boy's sideline catch goes viral
October 5, 2016
Sometimes one moment can make all the difference. Or in this case, one catch.
UWRF student Elijah Johnson has become an internet sensation following his one-handed catch as a Minnesota Vikings ball boy during the recent Monday Night Football game versus the New York Giants on ESPN.
Johnson, who also goes by EJ, was standing on the sideline performing his usual duties as a ball boy when Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford was forced out of the pocket and threw a pass out of bounds to avoid the defensive pressure. The ball came sailing toward Johnson and he grabbed the ball out of the air one-handed and tucked it in, like it was just another day on the job.
Social media exploded after the play, with countless gifs and highlights recreating the incredible play. Sports Illustrated and ESPN wrote stories about the catch, comparing it to the likes of New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s famous one-handed catch from his rookie season. Beckham only managed three catches against the Vikings, with Johnson receiving more praise than the NFL star after the game.
A video of the catch already has over 90,000 views on the NFL’s YouTube channel, with the catch being retweeted and showcased on countless social media platforms. Next week the Student Voice will sit down with Johnson for a feature story on his experiences as a Vikings ball boy and the national attention he’s received from his highlight-worthy catch.