Tigers’ Cartwright revels in his first interception
Memphis defensive lineman gets Wwe-like moment vs. SFA
John Cartwright held the Turnover Belt high with two hands above his head. The Memphis fans at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium roared in approval Saturday like a WWE house show.
For a minute, he acted like a champion after his first interception during the Tigers' 56-14 win over Stephen F. Austin. But he was also relieved to escape his teammates swarming him and jumping for joy.
“I felt like the whole team was trying to tackle me, I guess, for fun. I just ran away from them,” Cartwright said.
All that was missing was the speakers playing theme music from John Cena or Roman Reigns. But it was a welcome to Memphis moment for Cartwright that almost didn't happen.
The sophomore, who was a late addition to the roster, suffered a grade 3 turf toe injury in his Tigers' debut against Arkansas State. He was initially ruled out for the rest of the season but three weeks ago, he learned that he healed up enough for a possible return. That was all he needed to hear.
“As soon as the doc said that there was a chance I could come back, I told him it was not just a chance, I was going to play,” Cartwright said. “Don't tell me there's a chance because I'm going to get on the field.”
The week leading up to the season opener, Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield praised Cartwright for being a smart, tough player. He used those words again assessing his return.
“He's got the tools to continue to be a better football player,” Silverfield said. “To have him back, we thought he was lost for the dead with his injury but he's one of those that rehabbed the heck out of it.”
On the interception, Lumberjacks quarterback Trae Self threw the ball to Cartwright just as he released his man. Cartwright started running and carried a Lumberjacks defender before being brought down near the Memphis sidelines.
His teammates rushed over to celebrate. The crowd cheered on as Cartwright was shown on the video board and kicker Riley Patterson pointed to him while the Turnover Belt was being delivered.
Cartwright said he had a few interceptions in high school but this one felt different. The Tigers knew it, too.
“Your first game back to make a big time play like that. To even create some more momentum, that was just a big time moment for him and we were very happy for him,” wide receiver Calvin Austin III said.