Backup Patriots offensive lineman Ted Karras was forced into a starting role in two games last season when center David Andrews needed to miss two games due to illness. One of those games was Week 12 at home against the Dolphins and according to Karras, he made one of the biggest mistakes of his career.
With the Patriots leading 14-0 and Tom Brady in shotgun, Karras snapped the ball over his head and Miami's Reshad Jones picked up the loose ball and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown. The turnover game the Dolphins some momentum, as they only trailed 21-10 at the half, but the Patriots still came away with a 35-17 win.
Even though the Patriots won the game, Karras still took the bad snap hard.
"That was one of the harder moments of my life just to sit there and try and be stone-faced and answer those questions," Karras said Wednesday morning on sister station 103.3 AMP Radio's "The TJ Show." "I kind of broke down in the car with wifey next to me driving home, but at the moment that is your professional obligation to the fans and to the City of Boston."
Added Karras: "I take it very seriously and I feel like when you let your teammates down like that I was kind of overcome by all the attention I was getting for a big mistake and that was probably the biggest mistake of my life. I felt better afterwards."
Listen to the compelling audio clip above from The TJ Show to hear Karras raw honesty and emotion, which is atypical from pro football players.
Karras played in all 16 games as a backup offensive lineman and on special teams. He figures to be competing for the same role this year, his third in the NFL.
The TJ Show can be heard weekday mornings from 5:30am until 10:00am on Boston's 103.3 AMP Radio. You can follow TJ, Loren and Producer Matt on Twitter: @RadioTJ @LorenRaye and @ProducerMatt AMP and on Instagram: @RadioTJ @LorenRaye and @ProducerMatt AMP. Listen to The TJ Show On-Demand with The TJ Show Podcast on iTunes
