While not on a regular basis until 2020, the NFL has played games on Christmas Day dating back to 1971 and never seen a play like what Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receive KaVontae Turpin pulled off against the Washington Commanders.
The duo made history with an 86-yard touchdown with 7:00 remaining in the second quarter of their Week 17 game, giving the Cowboys a 21-3 lead and putting them in the record books as the longest Christmas Day TD in NFL history.
“I told everybody to watch what KaVontae Turpin in this game and how they might use him in the offense,” Netflix analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin said. “Then look what he and Dak Prescott did … hooked up for a huge play, a really electric play.
Prescott was selected to his fourth Pro Bowl just a few days before facing the Commanders and was an NFL All-Pro and NFL MVP runner-up in 2023. Turpin is a 2-time NFL All-Pro and 2-time Pro Bowl return specialist who has been used sporadically on offense throughout his career.
Prescott-Turpin TD Quickly Goes Viral
The 86-yard, record-setting hookup between Prescott and Turpin brought some excitement to a game that otherwise has almost no stakes as both teams have already been eliminated from the playoffs.
“KaVontae Turpin takes it 86 yards to the house,” Preme Football wrote on X. “Way too fast, and nobody even had a shot at catching him.”
“KaVontae Turpin so fast he make fast people look not fast,” Sports Beyond the Surface’s Landon Holifield wrote on X.
Translation: “Kavontae Turpin is a missile that left the entire Washington secondary in the dust.”
“BANNNGGG BANGGG,” Bets With Bush wrote on its official X account. “Kavontae Turpin TD +420 .75u … MERRY CHRISTMAS BUSH GANG.”
Turpin Could Start 2026 on NFL’s Suspended List
There’s a good chance Turpin could start 2026 on the NFL’s suspended list.
In July, Turpin was arrested on drugs and weapons charges in Texas, just 4 months after the Cowboys signed him to a 3-year, $13.5 million contract extension afterhe led the NFL in kickoff return yards in 2024.
In most cases, the NFL waits until a case has been adjudicated before handing out suspensions for violating the personal conduct policy, with Turpin’s case yet to go to trial.
In Turpin’s case, there might be extended legal issues with any potential plea bargain or or sentencing because of a previous domestic violence arrest in October 2018, while he was playing for TCU.
From the The Dallas Morning News on July 6: “Turpin, 28, was booked and charged initially with two misdemeanors: possession of marijuana (less than two ounces) and unlawful carrying of a weapon … Turpin has had off-the-field issues before. He starred at TCU, but was kicked off the team after he was arrested on assault charges. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation and ordered to attend an abuse intervention program.”
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