The Cincinnati Bengals drew up the perfect birthday present for offensive tackle Cody Ford after he made his first ever catch in the NFL on Sunday.
Ford took to the field for the Bengals’ clash against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend and helped his team storm to a 37-14 win at the Paycor Stadium.
His most notable contribution came in the third quarter, when the Bengals were comfortably leading by 23 points, lined the 345lbs offensive tackle wide right.
Quarterback Joe Burrow pump-faked inside before spotting Ford open and drilling a pass to him. The 6’3″ star collected with aplomb and powered forward.
He charged through the attempted tackle from Arizona defensive back Denzel Burke before being taken out 21 yards down.
Fox Sports commentator was just as stunned as the crowd, as he excitedly called out: ‘Big man on the run!’ before Ford was eventually stopped in his tracks.
The Cincinnati Bengals drew up the perfect birthday present for offensive tackle Cody Ford
Ford made his first ever catch in the NFL on Sunday – which just so happened to be his birthday
Ford, who was understandably excited, leapt back to his feet and celebrated wildly with his teammates, who quickly swarmed him.
It was the first catch that the 345lbs star had made during his six-year NFL career and it just so happened to come on his 28th birthday.
The moment quickly went viral on social media as fans heaped praise on the offensive lineman’s efforts.
Taking to X, one fan said: ‘Ford showing some versatility out there! Love when linemen step up and surprise us with plays like that. Bengals bringing the heat!’
‘Cody Ford showing versatility — splitting out and making moves!,’ another said.
Meanwhile, one user wrote: ‘OL split out wide is peak 2025 football.’
Another fan said: ‘That ain’t a bronco that’s a f150 coming through’
However, unfortunately for the Bengals, the win over the Cardinals meant little, given they were eliminated from playoff contention following their defeat to the Ravens.
Fans on social media were loving the efforts of the offensive lineman against the Cardinals
Ford quickly got back to his feet and celebrated wildly with his teammates
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail recently revealed that Bengals quarterback Burrow is ‘ready to erupt’ after their frustrating 2025 season.
A source close to the signal caller revealed that the Raiders, Jets and Steelers are all weighing up a potential blockbuster trade for the unsettled signal caller.
Burrow has recently hinted at internal resistance, claiming: ‘It feels like everybody is trying to do everything in their power to make me not play football, and I feel like I’m fighting it, fighting everybody else.’
And, prior to that, Burrow had also issued a worrying message about his mental health, which has sparked concern among NFL fans.
Speaking to reporters at the start of the month, Burrow said: ‘There’s just a lot of things going on right now. A lot of things going on.
‘If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it. You know, I’ve been through a lot and if it’s not fun then what am I doing it for? So, that’s the mindset I’m trying to bring to the table.’
