Falcons' Kadarel Hodge turns to faith after scoring game-winning touchdown: 'God is real'

Kadarel Hodge had no words to explain what happened at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday night.

Hodge, in his seventh NFL season, did not make a single reception all season, starting the Falcons' game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But after making his second catch on what was a career night for quarterback Kirk Cousins, Hodge broke a tackle and was able to see the light of day.

It was overtime and he had a chance to win the game with a touchdown, and he did just that, blasting past all of the Bucs' defenders with his explosive speed and sending the Falcons home crowd into a frenzy.

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Hodge was lifted into the air by his teammates as the entire stadium celebrated as the Falcons improved to 3-2 and the Bucks now held the same record.

In a postgame interview on “Thursday Night Football,” Hodge was asked to explain the game-winning score, a 45-yard catch-and-run, and at first he couldn't find the words.

Then he turned to his faith.

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“God is real. God is good. I prayed for that,” he told Prime Video's Kaylee Hartung. “I can't even do that – I don't even know what to say right now, brother. It's so surreal. God is real, that's all I can say. I prayed for this. I I pray for this every week. I'm still soaking it in.”

Hodge, still staring into the stands with tearful eyes, said he had to take advantage after star teammate Drake London, who had 12 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown, went down on a bat. We talked about the opportunities we knew about. Injury.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, No. 12, catches a touchdown from a New Orleans Saints fumble during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, September 29, 2024, in Atlanta. celebrate. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

“I knew I had to intervene,” Hodge said. “When (London) went down, I knew I had to step in for my brother and the team. I had to do what I had to do and take advantage of the opportunity. God was on my side. I knew I had to do what I had to do. “I just did what I did.” “

Hodge, a 29-year-old undrafted free agent in his third season with the Falcons, had just one receiving touchdown in 93 career games before cracking the goal line and sparking a huge celebration in Atlanta.

When his number was called, he made the most of his opportunity. This is everything any athlete could want.

Atlanta Falcons No. 12 KhaDarrell Hodge reacts after recovering a fumble for a touchdown in the end zone during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on September 29, 2024 do. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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But while Hodge knows he has the skills to make such a play happen, he believes faith also played a big role in seeing him witness this once-in-a-lifetime soccer moment.

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