It seems Gardner Minshew’s rough day on the field wasn’t the only thing people were talking about after Sunday’s game. Following a disastrous performance for the Las Vegas Raiders, where the quarterback threw two interceptions and was eventually benched in favor of backup Aidan O’Connell, Minshew found himself the subject of an unexpected viral moment.
In the Raiders’ 34-18 loss to the Denver Broncos, Minshew was sidelined and handed a headset for the rest of the game. But late in the fourth quarter, TV cameras captured the quarterback in an awkward, if not embarrassing, moment.
Minshew was caught on live television appearing to stick his thumb along the edge of his nose, followed by a quick move to his mouth, sparking a wave of speculation among viewers.
Fans were quick to assume that Minshew had just picked his nose and eaten whatever he found. The incident took on a life of its own online, with social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), filled with users trolling Minshew. Many made humorous references to his last name, while others expressed their dismay in more creative ways.
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One user quipped, “Ok, and that’s somehow the least offensive thing he did today,” while another Raiders fan lamented, “Well now we have to start Aidan for the rest of the year. Otherwise, we’re going to be known as the team with the QB who eats his own boogers. Dammit Gardner, I trusted you.”
While Minshew’s nose-picking moment became the focal point for internet mockery, his actual performance on the field against one of the league’s top defenses was equally as cringe-worthy.
Minshew struggled mightily, completing just 12 of 17 passes for 137 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He was also sacked twice before head coach Antonio Pierce decided to pull him from the game.
Aidan O’Connell, who replaced Minshew, didn’t fare much better. He completed 10 of 20 passes for 94 yards and threw an interception of his own while also getting sacked once. The game turned out to be a nightmare for both Raiders quarterbacks, but Minshew’s viral sideline antics only added insult to injury.
The Raiders, now 2-3 on the season, will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers next week. While fans are still talking about Minshew’s ill-timed sideline moment, the focus will have to shift to getting the team back on track after another disappointing performance.
For Minshew, it’s not just about bouncing back on the field, but also shaking off the unfortunate attention he’s garnered from a game he’d likely rather forget.
