Derwin James' Brutal Tackle Of Travis Kelce Conjured 'Spinebuster' Vibes
Safety Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers body-slammed tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday in a move that reminded viewers of a WWE “spinebuster.”
A lot going on here… #TNFonPrime#LACvsKC on Prime Video
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/Fa02SqPmRnpic.twitter.com/IAoRCdWlGO— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2022
The Chiefs won the matchup of AFC West rivals 27-24 on “Thursday Night Football,” but James won the moment.
In slow motion it’s even more brutal.
Derwin James just went WWE on Travis Kelce. Mercy. 😂pic.twitter.com/a0w8YZ6xB8
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 16, 2022
During the third quarter, the 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound Kelce appeared headed for a touchdown when the 6-foot-2-inch, 215-pound James lifted the ball carrier off his feet and plowed him into the turf on his back. Kelce was hit with such impact that the ball jarred loose but was not ruled a fumble.
Many on Twitter thought the tackle was reminiscent of pro wrestling and the dreaded spinebuster move. WWE star Hulk Hogan came up in the conversation as well.
Derwin James hit Travis Kelce with a spinebuster‼️😲 #BoltUp
(🎥: @NFLBrasil) pic.twitter.com/0uno4q2XLm— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 16, 2022
Derwin James to Travis Kelce😂 #Spinebuster#ChiefsKingdom#Boltup#thursdaynightfootballpic.twitter.com/0BEnPBwtIB
— Wade (@WadeMar_) September 16, 2022
Derwin James goes to tackle Travis Kelce…. pic.twitter.com/KKoXYICoBs
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 16, 2022
Derwin to kelce pic.twitter.com/ZOB9w3Vua1
— kyle (@knicks_tape99) September 16, 2022
Derwin James pulled out the WWE move on Travis Kelce
pic.twitter.com/Kl1JqLQpQK— Bet The Pigskin (@betthepigskin) September 16, 2022
Derwin James went Hulk Hogan on Travis Kelce lmao pic.twitter.com/I3mY8t731e
— Eric Rosenthal (@ericsports) September 16, 2022
This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.