WATCH: Anthony Richardson taps out game vs Texans because he was tired, Colts decide to go with Joe Flacco on Sunday Night Football

In one of the most bizzare plays you’ll ever see from a franchise quarterback, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson “tapped out” of Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans late in the third quarter with his team down 10 points because he was “tired”.

Anthony Richardson sacked, subs himself out of the game

Here’s the sequence when #Colts QB Anthony Richardson was sacked in the 3Q and then subbed himself out of the game. Richardson would later explain he was “tired.”

“That was a lot of running right there that I did, and I didn’t think I was gonna be able to go that next play.” pic.twitter.com/yjInUrJ01F

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 27, 2024

Anthony Richardson left the game because he was “tired”.

This is a 4th overall pick, franchise QB leaving a game because he is tired.

I can’t believe this is who you would want to believe in to win you games. pic.twitter.com/pZvwa68OkV

— J Peep (@TheJPeep) October 27, 2024

Being a lifelong football fan, I can honestly say that I have NEVER seen a quarterback remove himself from the game. Anthony Richardson, on a huge third down against a division rival taps his helmet to remove himself from the game?

That’s what happened after the play before he took a shot and bounced right back up, seemingly ready to keep the drive moving? He leaves the game because he was tired? I mean Jesus Christ. That just doesn’t happen in the NFL or really, any level of competitive football.

An NFL quarterback doesn’t leave the game when he’s not hurt. Find me one other example of that happening. It doesn’t exist. Imagine the message that sends to the rest of his team. His offensive lineman must have been disgusted. 

And the fact that Colts fans are defending this type of behavior by posting videos of Anthony Richardson “getting no help” from his wide receivers during the game like that means anything, please, have some dignity. 

Colts fans coping mechanism for Anthony Richardson:

1 whole minute of Anthony Richardson getting no help from his receivers against the Texans. pic.twitter.com/CJXu7mnzgk

— Jeremiah (@ColtsTopic) October 27, 2024

Maybe I’m crazy but I think the 45 seconds of Anthony Richardson not helping his team by tapping out of the game in favor of Joe Flacco because he was tired is way worse than his offense struggling when he’s in the game.

Colts Offense with Joe Flacco because Anthony Richardson was Tired:

46 whole seconds of the Colts getting no help from Anthony Richardson near the red zone because he was too tired from scrambling for 0 net yards https://t.co/SGqHoiUO5V pic.twitter.com/ZeCCecNh10

— Matt 🍊 (@titanmatt_) October 28, 2024

At the very least, the Indianapolis Colts got it right. Early on Tuesday, it was announced that Joe Flacco would now be the starter for the Colts, at least for their Week 9 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football.

Quite the statement and rightfully so.

A QB change for the Colts: Indianapolis is benching former first-round pick Anthony Richardson and turning to veteran Joe Flacco, sources tell @FowlerESPN and me. Coaches met this morning and made the seismic organizational decision to change QBs. pic.twitter.com/uqANJwOwr4

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2024

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