SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Running like mad, Ted Ginn Jr. almost raised the ball in the air before the goal line to start celebrating a touchdown on his 102-yard kickoff return.
He thought twice, then tucked it in safely at his right side. Ginn had looked up at the big screen and saw a chasing defender. No way he was risking something going wrong.
Not after his turbulent week.
Ahead of the season opener, Ginn took a hefty pay cut and lost his starting job in the receiving corps to newcomer Braylon Edwards.
What a tough few days for the fifth-year pro before he returned two kicks for touchdowns in a 59-second span to seal San Francisco’s season-opening 33-17 victory over Seattle.