The NFL Week 9 contest between the Panthers and Broncos did offer its share of excitement, but the most viral play of the afternoon in Carolina came courtesy of a Corgi.
During halftime on Sunday in Charlotte, N.C., the entertainment featured a race between several Corgis on the field. However, after the festivities wrapped up, stadium staff had some issues getting one pup under wraps.
The Corgi caused some chaos on the field as it darted back and forth, from sideline to sideline at Bank of America Stadium as at least four men gave chase.
The men chased the Corgi at least 100 total yards on feet and made several diving attempts to corral the dog before finally snagging the runaway pup.
What did broadcasters say?
The corgi earned some rave reviews for its elusiveness, with CBS announcer Ian Eagle comparing the adorable animal to one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
“This is the Barry Sanders of corgis,” Eagle exclaimed. “You can’t bring him down! Look at this little guy! They’re stumbling, bumbling!”
NFL RedZone, which broadcasts a day-long marathon of live look-ins and highlights from games, also had some fun with the footage.
“We’ve got a red alert,” host Scott Hanson said as the channel queued up the clip. “We go to halftime in Charlotte, North Carolina. Halftime entertainment.
“A corgi race and a corgi is loose! And the handlers can’t handle him! The second half is supposed to be kicking off.
“They can’t get him at the 40. They can’t get him at the 45. He’s at midfield. The corgi is loose!
“He’s checking to his left, to his right, he’s looking at himself at the big videoboard and finally they tackle him but not until about a 100-yard gain!”
Hanson could be heard chuckling a bit as he delivered his commentary and nearly ran out of breath as it came to a close.
What happened during the game?
The Panthers might’ve been able to use the nimble dog during the game. While the hosts took a 14-13 lead early in third quarter, Denver scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns and held on for a 26-21 win.
Carolina’s Canadian running back Chuba Hubbard provided 79 rushing yards on 16 carries, also adding 17 yards on four receptions.