Nate Poole caught only 34 balls for 418 yards over a four-year NFL career, but the former Cardinals and Saints receiver is still one of the most well-known players in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Poole was signed by Arizona as free agent in 2002 after going undrafted 11 months earlier following his collegiate career at Marshall. He was never a legitimate scoring threat and never recorded more than 13 receptions or 180 yards in a single season. However, the little-known wideout combined with Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown to complete one of the most incredible plays in NFL history.
The Minnesota Vikings entered their Week 17 game in Arizona needing only a win to capture the NFC North title. A loss combined with a Packers win at home over the Broncos would give the division crown to Green Bay. It appeared to be a very reasonable proposition for the 9-6 Vikings visiting a poor 3-12 Cardinals team, especially as Minnesota held a 17-6 lead at the two-minute warning. A 4th down score from McCown to Steve Bush and failed 2-point conversion attempt from Emmitt Smith trimmed the lead to 17-12. Arizona managed to recover the onside kick and, after a quick march down the field, were forced to frantically snap the ball for a last second heave to the end zone.
And that’s where Nate Poole’s heroics earned him a key to the city of Green Bay and Vikings radio broadcaster Paul Allen earned himself a spot among the most depressingly fantastic radio calls in sports history:
