It was November 27, 2022, and the Eagles were hosting the Green Bay Packers in primetime. The marquee matchup pinned the 9-1 Eagles against the reigning back-to-back MVP in Aaron Rodgers.
All was normal for Eagles undrafted rookie Reed Blankenship, who had just played the first two defensive snaps of his NFL career the week prior, as he was set to strictly play on special teams against the Packers. But then safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson went down, and Blankenship was suddenly thrust into action.
It took just seven plays for Middle Tennessee graduate to make a career-altering play, intercepting one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time who is known for protecting the football. Blankenship jumped the pass inside Philadelphia's 20-yard line and rolled on the ground for a couple more yards before getting mobbed by his teammates.
It was Blankenship's first real chance to make an impact, and he didn't miss.
"It was like a blur, but I mean it was one of those things that my name was called when an unfortunate situation happened and you got to be ready at all times," Blankenship said ahead of Monday night's game against the Packers. "I remember it like it was yesterday, even though I said it was a blur. But I had fun, I went out there, and I guess took advantage of my opportunity.
"... My phone was blowing up [after the game]. It's cool to have all that support and stuff, and you feel great in that moment. It was definitely a jump-start to my career, for sure."
After that play, Blankenship's NFL journey took off.
He started four games that season en route to the Super Bowl, and he has since started every game he has played for the Birds. Before the regular season this year, he was named just one of two defensive team captains and is a leader in the locker room.
Blankenship now has eight interceptions in his NFL career and has played nearly 50 games. He has numerous big-time plays for the Eagles, but his pick off Rodgers stands in a tier of its own.
"I think it was pretty much the highlight of my career, honestly, just being able to step in at a second's notice," Blankenship said. "I know I had some mistakes that game for sure, I still remember them, but just to be able to fill that job and get a pick off Aaron Rodgers, that's huge. That's something I'll tell my kids one day." — Written by Matt Ryan
