Patrick Mahomes Leads Tributes to Myles Garrett After 23rd Sack Sets New NFL Record

Cleveland Browns' star pass rusher Myles Garrett needed just one more sack to set a new NFL single-season record.

Patrick Mahomes Leads Tributes to Myles Garrett After 23rd Sack Sets New NFL Record

Myles Garrett and Patrick Mahomes (Image via Bleacher Report/X/Imago)

There was a time when Myles Garrett had the NFL single-season sack record within reach, which led many to think he would break it and etch his name as one of the greatest.

His five-sack outing against the New England Patriots and a four-sack performance against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11 had many believing the Texas A&M product would wrap up the record faster than anyone.

It would have been something had he surpassed the great Michael Strahan‘s sack record in less than 16 games, as those who still live in the past usually argue with claims that current records are in a 17-game season.

But then, Myles Garrett lost his pace, and it came to a point in their previous game against the Pittsburgh Steelers where he alleged the team focused on stopping his sack record.

Then, all eyes were on their season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. After Joe Burrow specifically mentioned that he would not try to stop the pass rusher, it dawned on everyone that the record would come.

Halfway through the fourth-quarter, Garrett had yet to register his sack, and betting odds on him being able to do so tanked throughout the country.

Then, with just a little over five minutes to go, the 30-year-old shot off the snap, bent around Bengals’ left tackle, Orlando Brown, and after first slowing Burrow down with his left hand, got his other arm around to register his 23rd sack of the season.

Tributes pour in after Myles Garrett sets sack record

As soon as Myles Garrett took down Joe Burrow, it dawned on everyone that the former had just set a new single-season record for sacks. In a season devoid of much entertainment, the Browns’ pass rusher’s record shone as one of the few bright moments. No wonder the who’s who of the sporting world came out to congratulate him.

The likes of Patrick Mahomes, Randy Moss, the always supportive Micah Parsons, and many others led fans to give the 6′ 4″ sack master his flowers. Check out examples of those reactions below:

Some naysayers could point to the ease with which Joe Burrow went down, sparking memories of how Brett Favre seemingly strolled into Michael Strahan’s path that allowed the latter to set the record.

Then there was the fact that the Bengals sent double coverage on Myles Garrett throughout the game, except for that one play when he took down Burrow. Whatever it was, the Texas native was evidently grateful that he finally managed to set the record.

Myles Garrett’s former teammate’s family has heartfelt reaction to his sack record

After the win, it was natural for Myles Garrett to celebrate the moment with his parents. Back in Cleveland, there was another family who was celebrating with just as much passion as the Garretts.

Myles Garrett Sacked Joe Burrow to set the record
Myles Garrett sacked Joe Burrow to set the record (Image via Complex Sports/X)

This was former Browns left tackle Joe Thomas, who was the pass rusher’s veteran in his final season in the league. He captured his family watching the game, and probably realized with the way the Bengals lined up that it was about time.

As his intuition became true, his son’s reaction to Garrett’s sack record was heartwarming to watch. Then, as he turned the camera around, his wife looked shocked and happy, and his daughters went wild, celebrating the moment.

The Hall of Famer then went on to congratulate his former teammate, knowing his former rookie would join him in the club after this monumental feat.

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