Travis Hunter’s first NFL interception finally arrived on Sunday night in Jacksonville, and it came with a moment of genuine defensive brilliance — followed by a bizarre sideline scuffle over the milestone football that stole the postgame conversation. The Jaguars routed the New England Patriots 35-6 at EverBank Stadium on Sept. 27, 2026, but the story of the night was the rookie two-way star’s first career pick and the viral altercation that unfolded around the souvenir ball.
Travis Hunter’s First Interception Preserved a Halftime Lead
The interception came late in the first half, with the Jaguars clinging to a 14-3 lead and the Patriots threatening to cut into the deficit. On third-and-goal from the 2-yard line, New England quarterback Drake Maye targeted receiver Efton Chism III in the back of the end zone. Hunter read it all the way, stepped in front of the route, and hauled in his first career NFL interception to keep the Patriots off the board.
It was a play that showcased exactly why Jacksonville spent the second overall pick in the draft on the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner from Colorado. Hunter, who plays on both sides of the ball, was lined up in coverage and made the kind of instinctive break on the football that made him a college legend. Instead of New England heading into the locker room down 14-10 — or even 14-6 — the Jaguars kept their 11-point cushion and never looked back.
The interception energized a Jacksonville defense that went on to dominate the second half. The Jaguars turned a competitive game into a 35-6 rout, and Hunter’s red-zone takeaway stood as one of the clearest turning points of the night. According to the Associated Press via Sportsnet, the rookie played 42 defensive snaps — roughly 70 percent of the defensive workload — and finished with four tackles on the evening, per Sportsnet’s coverage of the game.
A Breakout Night for the Rookie Two-Way Star
Hunter’s workload is one of the most closely watched storylines in the league this season. After winning the Heisman as a true two-way player at Colorado, where he played more than 100 snaps per game, there were legitimate questions about how much Jacksonville would use him on both sides of the ball as a professional. Against New England, the answer was clear: he is a full-time defensive contributor.
The rookie’s night also offered a glimpse of his emotional side. After the game, Hunter admitted the milestone was, in his words, “a little bit” of a relief, according to NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk. For a player carrying enormous expectations — a top-two draft pick, a Heisman winner, a generational two-way talent — getting the first interception out of the way removes one small piece of pressure from a very large spotlight.
It is worth remembering just how unusual Hunter’s NFL path remains. True two-way players are almost nonexistent in the modern league, and Jacksonville’s willingness to deploy him heavily on defense while still developing his offensive package is a genuine experiment. Sunday’s performance was an early data point in its favor: 42 snaps, four tackles, and the biggest defensive play of the game.
The Viral Ball-Boy Spat Over the Souvenir Ball
And then came the weird part. After Hunter’s first NFL interception, the milestone football became the subject of an on-field tug-of-war that quickly went viral. According to USA Today, Jaguars pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen attempted to grab the ball as a souvenir for his rookie teammate — only for a Patriots ball boy to refuse to hand it over, reportedly shouting “You can’t touch me” as the two got into a heated exchange.
Video of the confrontation spread rapidly across social media, with fans debating who was in the right. On one side: a veteran trying to secure a career keepsake for a rookie’s milestone moment. On the other: an employee of the opposing team holding his ground on the sideline. It was the kind of strange, meme-ready incident that only football’s chaotic sidelines can produce.
The good news for Hunter: the saga ended well. The Jaguars confirmed on Monday that they did, in fact, recover the football from his first career interception, per the Associated Press report carried by Sportsnet. Whatever happened in the moment on the sideline, the rookie’s souvenir made it back to Jacksonville’s locker room.
What the Travis Hunter First Interception Means for the Jaguars
Beyond the highlight and the headline-grabbing aftermath, the interception matters because of what it signals about Hunter’s trajectory. Rookies — even great ones — often need time to adjust to NFL speed, and interceptions are the kind of play that build confidence for a young defensive back. For a player expected to be a foundational piece of the franchise, an end-zone takeaway in a blowout win is an ideal first.
The Jaguars, meanwhile, looked every bit like a team hitting its stride. A 35-6 win over a conference opponent, a dominant defensive performance, and a marquee rookie making marquee plays — it all adds up to a franchise trending in the right direction. For more on the weekend’s other dramatic NFL finishes, read our coverage of the Ravens’ walk-off field goal win over the Cowboys in Rio, another Sunday thriller that came down to the final seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Travis Hunter get his first NFL interception?
Travis Hunter recorded his first career NFL interception on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, late in the first half of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 35-6 win over the New England Patriots at EverBank Stadium.
Who did Travis Hunter intercept?
Hunter intercepted New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. The pass was intended for receiver Efton Chism III in the back of the end zone on third-and-goal from the 2-yard line.
What happened in the Travis Hunter ball-boy altercation?
After the interception, Jaguars pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen tried to retrieve the milestone ball as a souvenir, but a Patriots ball boy refused to give it up, reportedly shouting “You can’t touch me.” Video of the exchange went viral. The Jaguars confirmed on Monday that they recovered the football, according to the Associated Press.
How many snaps did Travis Hunter play against the Patriots?
Hunter played 42 defensive snaps — roughly 70 percent of the Jaguars’ defensive plays — and recorded four tackles, in addition to his first career interception, per Sportsnet’s coverage.
