O futebol americano é um jogo regrado, em que a maioria dos jogadores se atém estritamente às suas funções ofensivas ou defensivas.
Mas, por vezes, a defesa pode transformar-se em ataque num piscar de olhos e, quando isso acontece, normalmente gera excitação, uma vez que ambas as equipas se esforçam por se adaptar à mudança repentina.
Os fumbles são uma ocorrência comum, com um jogador da equipa ofensiva a deixar cair a bola e a provocar o caos enquanto ambas as equipas tentam recuperar a bola perdida. As interceptações também são bastante comuns, com os cornerbacks sendo os mais propensos a agarrar passes aéreos destinados a alguém do lado oposto.
O mais raro e mais célebre desses turnovers é o pick 6 (também escrito “pick six”). Pode virar um jogo num instante e é o pesadelo de um quarterback.
Aqui está uma das jogadas mais emocionantes do futebol americano explicada.
O que é um Pick 6?
Quite simply, a pick 6 occurs when an interception is made by a defensive player and subsequently returned for a touchdown.
The term comes from the usage of the word "pick" to describe an interception, and the six points that are awarded for a touchdown (prior to any extra points that the scoring team may attempt). It's a devastating defensive play because it swings momentum from the offensive team to the defensive team in the biggest of ways — the team that scores a pick 6 does so without its offensive players even touching the ball.
Which quarterback has thrown the most pick 6s?
This isn't exactly an honour that QBs strive for, but some of the biggest legends of the sport are among the pick 6 leaders.
The longevity of the all-time leaders' careers play the biggest part in their inclusion, naturally. After all, you can't throw too many interceptions without being on the field much.
All-time NFL QB pick six leaders (since 1950)
As of August 29, 2024.
| Rank | Player | Pick 6 |
| 1 | Brett Favre | 32 |
| 2 | Matthew Stafford | 30 |
| 3 | Dan Marino | 29 |
| 4 | Joe Namath | 28 |
| T-5 | Drew Brees | 27 |
| T-5 | Peyton Manning | 27 |
| 7 | Philip Rivers | 25 |
| T-8 | Carson Palmer | 23 |
| T-8 | Vinny Testaverde | 23 |
| T-10 | Eli Manning | 22 |
| T-10 | Norm Snead | 22 |
Who has returned the most interception for touchdowns?
Unsurprisingly, this list is filled with a veritable "Who's Who" of the best defensive backs to ever play the game.
All-time NFL interception returns for touchdown leaders
As of August 29, 2024.
| Rank | Player | TD |
| 1 | Rod Woodson | 12 |
| T-2 | Darren Sharper | 11 |
| T-2 | Charles Woodson | 11 |
| 4 | Aqib Talib | 10 |
| T-5 | Ken Houston | 9 |
| T-5 | Deion Sanders | 9 |
| T-5 | Aeneas Williams | 9 |
| T-8 | Eric Williams | 8 |
| T-8 | Ronde Barber | 8 |
| T-8 | Janoris Jenkins | 8 |
| T-8 | Charles Tillman | 8 |