Falcons' KhaDarel Hodge turns to faith after game-winning touchdown: 'God is real'

KhaDarel Hodge had no words to describe what unfolded at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday night.

Hodge, in his seventh NFL season, did not have a single reception for the Falcons entering the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But after securing his second catch of the night on a career night for quarterback Kirk Cousins, Hodge broke a tackle and saw daylight.

It was overtime, he had a chance to win the game with a touchdown and that's exactly what he did as he shot past every Bucs defender with a burst of speed and sent the Falcons home crowd into a frenzy.

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, #12, leaves the field after a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Hodge was lifted into the air by his teammates as the entire stadium cheered as the Falcons improved to 3-2, while the Bucs now hold the same record.

During a postgame interview on “Thursday Night Football,” Hodge was asked to describe his game-winning hit – a 45-yard catch-and-run – and the right words came to mind.

Then he turned to his faith.

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“God is real, God is good. I prayed about it,” he told Prime Video’s Kaylee Hartung. “I can’t – I don’t even know what to say right now, brother. It's so surreal. God is real, that's all I can say. I prayed for it. I pray about it every week. I'm still soaking it.

As Hodge caught his breath and still stared into the stands with tear-filled eyes, he discussed the opportunity he had to seize after Drake London, his star teammate who had 12 catches for 154 yards with one touchdown, fell to the ground with one went injury.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, #12, celebrates his touchdown after a New Orleans Saints fumble during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, September 29, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

“I knew I had to intervene,” Hodge said. “(London) was going down, I knew I had to step in for my brother and my team. I have to do what I have to do, take advantage of my opportunities. God was on my side, I just did what I had to do.”

Hodge, a 29-year-old undrafted free agent who is in his third season with the Falcons, had just one touchdown in 93 career games before breaking through the goal line and drawing huge celebrations in Atlanta.

He took his chance when his number was called, and that's all any athlete wants to do.

KhaDarel Hodge, number 12 of the Atlanta Falcons, reacts after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Atlanta. (Kevin C Cox/Getty Images)

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Although Hodge knew he had the talent to make such a move a success, he believes faith also played an important role in making his once-in-a-lifetime football experience a reality.

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