Safety J.T. Hassell wasted no time making an impact at Green Bay on Saturday.
The third-year player out of Florida Tech got a shot at some significant playing time because of injuries to Lamarcus Joyner and Ashytn Davis. And he made the most of it.
On the first play of the third quarter Hassell forced a fumble when Green Bay's Patrick Taylor ran off left guard for 6 yards. Rookie linebacker Jamien Sherwood fell on the ball at the Packers' 35-yard line, leading to a 46-yard field goal by Matt Ammendola.
"We had a great game offensively and defensively," Hassell told Eric Allen in an interview for "Jets 360." "I want to thank the coaches and everyone for believing in me. I'm growing every day, practicing hard."
Taking 18 plays on defense (29%), and 2 on special teams, Hassell put together a strong statistical game: 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble. He did not have to defend against any passes in the second half.
"Walking onto the field I was just thinking about my nonprofit foundation, thinking about the kids and going out there and playing for them," said Hassell, who was born with only two fingers on his left hand. "On the play (forced fumble), I saw him breaking up in the middle. I knew I had to close fast. I saw the ball, I hit the ball and it came out."
Sounds simple.
Hassell played in three games for the Jets in the 2020 NFL season. He made an auspicious debut, against the Rams, blocking a punt that led to a field goal in the Green & White's first victory of the season. The Jets' reserves had three takeaways in their win over the Pack.
Reflecting on the team's time in Green Bay, he said: "The ball was alive this week, that's the object to get the ball and create turnovers. We have a lot of young and talented guys, not just talented, but hard working and dedicated."
The third-year player out of Florida Tech got a shot at some significant playing time because of injuries to Lamarcus Joyner and Ashytn Davis. And he made the most of it.
On the first play of the third quarter Hassell forced a fumble when Green Bay's Patrick Taylor ran off left guard for 6 yards. Rookie linebacker Jamien Sherwood fell on the ball at the Packers' 35-yard line, leading to a 46-yard field goal by Matt Ammendola.
"We had a great game offensively and defensively," Hassell told Eric Allen in an interview for "Jets 360." "I want to thank the coaches and everyone for believing in me. I'm growing every day, practicing hard."
Taking 18 plays on defense (29%), and 2 on special teams, Hassell put together a strong statistical game: 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble. He did not have to defend against any passes in the second half.
"Walking onto the field I was just thinking about my nonprofit foundation, thinking about the kids and going out there and playing for them," said Hassell, who was born with only two fingers on his left hand. "On the play (forced fumble), I saw him breaking up in the middle. I knew I had to close fast. I saw the ball, I hit the ball and it came out."
Sounds simple.
Hassell played in three games for the Jets in the 2020 NFL season. He made an auspicious debut, against the Rams, blocking a punt that led to a field goal in the Green & White's first victory of the season. The Jets' reserves had three takeaways in their win over the Pack.
Reflecting on the team's time in Green Bay, he said: "The ball was alive this week, that's the object to get the ball and create turnovers. We have a lot of young and talented guys, not just talented, but hard working and dedicated."