Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and a sideline ball attendant briefly tangled Sunday after Travis Hunter’s first career interception, a sideline dispute that overshadowed a milestone play in Jacksonville’s 35-6 victory over the New England Patriots.
Video recorded by Spectrum News 13 reporter Brandon Green shows Hunter leaping in the back of the end zone to pick off a Drake Maye pass, then celebrating with teammates near the goal line. Moments later, Hines-Allen approaches a staffer holding the football near the sideline tunnel. The two grab at the ball. Hines-Allen appears to reach across the attendant’s body. The staffer pulls away, then turns toward other personnel and shouts that he was touched and pushed.
Accounts circulating with the clip quote the attendant saying, “Don’t touch me. He touched me. … He pushed me. He can’t do that,” and, in a separate transcription shared by NFL reporters, “You can’t touch me! Hey! He pushed me!” The exchange lasts only a few seconds. Another staffer steps in as Hines-Allen walks off. Neither man is shown throwing a punch. The Jaguars, the NFL and Hines-Allen had not issued a public comment on the incident as of Sunday night. The attendant has not been identified by name.
My POV of Travis Hunter’s 1st career interception
Weird interaction at the end between #Jaguars Josh Hines-Allen and the ball-guy when he tried to get the ball pic.twitter.com/7ByHNjK4D8
— Brandon Green🍀 (@BGreenReports) September 27, 2026
Green, whose camera followed Hunter’s return toward the sideline, described it as a “weird interaction” after Hines-Allen “tried to get the ball.” The clip spread quickly because of the context: Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft, had just recorded the first interception of his NFL career. Teammates often try to secure that football as a keepsake. Hines-Allen, Jacksonville’s franchise sack leader, appeared to be doing exactly that.
The interception came with 1:02 left in the first half and the Jaguars leading 14-3. New England faced third-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Maye faked a toss, rolled right and lofted the ball toward receiver Efton Chism III in the back of the end zone. Pressure from linebacker Foye Oluokun and Hines-Allen forced the throw. Hunter, covering tightly, got his head around, outjumped Chism and came down with the ball.
Jaguars coach Liam Coen called it a “huge play” in a “critical situation.” Hunter said afterward that the defense had seen a similar look in practice and that he had been telling himself he was getting close to the ball. The pick kept New England off the scoreboard before halftime. Jacksonville later added to the lead and won 35-6. Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes. Maye finished with two interceptions and two lost or recovered fumbles before he was pulled in the fourth quarter.
Hunter, a two-way player who spent most of Sunday’s snaps at cornerback, had three pass breakups as a rookie before a knee injury ended his 2025 season in October. Sunday’s interception was the first takeaway of his NFL career. He played a season-high 42 defensive snaps, according to reports after the game.
