One of many heroes of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ 28-18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7 was rookie cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace.
Within the third quarter, the 49ers have been driving. Down 14-12, they’d a very good probability to take the lead. However deep in Kansas Metropolis territory, Roland-Wallace snagged an errant throw from San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy — after which tapped his toes completely simply in bounds. It was precisely what you’d count on to see from a veteran wideout.
After Friday’s observe, Roland-Wallace spoke about what he noticed earlier than making the catch.
“[It was] simply miscommunication,” the USC product informed reporters, “after which I simply capitalized on that — and got here down with the ball.”
Naturally, Roland-Wallace stored it as a memento.
“Only for reminiscences or whatnot,” he stated. “My first I-N-T.”
The 49ers’ subsequent drive would additionally finish with an interception — this one by rookie security Jaden Hicks in the long run zone. The 2 first-year execs had stored what may need 14 San Francisco factors off the board — and the Chiefs rose to the second by scoring 14 factors from the turnovers.
Photograph by Ezra Shaw/Getty Pictures
“It meant quite a bit,” Roland-Wallace stated of the 2 rookie defenders getting their first interceptions in the identical recreation. “You already know, as children, we dream of moments like this. So for it to return true was nice.”
Roland-Wallace was blissful to listen to from prior teammates and coaches this week — however made positive to credit score defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for serving to him succeed as a professional.
“I’m grateful for them, the workers, Spags, the vets right here that helped Jaden and I — simply this entire group.”
Roland-Wallace additionally praised defensive backs coach Dave Merritt.
“He’s taught us quite a bit,” stated the rookie, “so I simply strive to absorb the whole lot that he leaves out for us.”
Roland-Wallace signed with Kansas Metropolis as an undrafted free agent after April’s NFL Draft. The Chiefs’ latest observe file with younger defensive backs helped drive his choice.
“I simply knew that I had a possibility,” he recalled of the second, “they usually have been . I simply got here in and simply managed what I may.”
After coaching camp, that unexpectedly led to a spot on the workforce’s preliminary lively roster. However Roland-Wallace now realizes that was merely step one.
“I used to be excited — and my household was,” he recalled of creating the workforce, “however there’s nonetheless plenty of work to place ahead.”
A part of that has been working as a nickel cornerback — one thing he did at each Arizona and USC.
“I type of moved round a bit of bit in faculty,” stated Roland-Wallace, “so I obtained some reps and stuff there. So it wasn’t, like, model new.”
Sadly, there was a worth to be paid for Sunday’s win: beginning exterior cornerback Jaylen Watson suffered a fractured ankle that might finish his season. Roland-Wallace expects all the defensive backs to step up.
“I really feel like everybody within the room is locked in and getting ready as in the event that they’re going to play,” he declared. “So when the chance comes, it’s not a shock.”
