FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 31: Christian Hackenberg #5 of the New York Jets warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Former star Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg made his Alliance of American Football league debut this afternoon.
Hackenberg, who spent three seasons in the NFL, never taking a snap, started for the Memphis Express. It did not go well.
The Express were blown out by the Birmingham Iron, 26-0. Hackenberg’s stats were pretty brutal, completing 10 of 23 passes for 87 yards and one interception.
Hackenberg did provide for several viral moments on social media, at least.
The former second round NFL Draft pick appeared to forget that he was mic’d up during the game, televised on CBS Sports Network.
Check it out:
Christian Hackenberg keeps forgetting that he's mic'd up ? pic.twitter.com/dYgQKHHh2Z
— Pick Six Podcast (@picksixpod) February 10, 2019
Hackenberg was benched late in the contest, as quarterback Brandon Silvers replaced him in the second half of the fourth quarter. Silvers played collegiately at Troy.
The former Penn State quarterback did make at least one really nice throw during the game, though it didn’t count:
I know this ended up being called back after everything was said and done, however, this was a fantastic throw by Christian Hackenberg on the trick play. pic.twitter.com/11fkeE0gzQ
— Max Wildstein (@MaxWildstein) February 10, 2019
The Memphis Express will be back in action next Saturday.
Memphis is taking on Arizona at 8 p.m. E.T. The game will be televised on NFL Network.
