It’s been a relatively quiet season for Steelers cornerback William Gay. He didn’t have an interception entering Sunday’s game in Cincinnati, yet he’s escaped the criticism that has been heaped on other Steelers defensive backs.
Gay was back in the spotlight in a big way Sunday. He intercepted an A.J. McCarron pass and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown to give the Steelers a 23-7 lead over their AFC North rivals early in the third quarter.
After his TD, Gay was penalized for excessive celebration.
#Steelers CB William Gay reads McCarron perfectly, jumps the throw for a pick-six and his own celebration. pic.twitter.com/HOn9DANlwk
— The Sports Daily (@SportsDailyBlog) December 13, 2015
It was Gay’s fifth career pick-six, and it was a milestone.
William Gay has tied Rod Woodson for most pick sixes in Steelers history with five. https://t.co/bgFkqRTC1w
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 13, 2015
As for the penalty, it’s not like he got intimate with a goal post like teammate Antonio Brown. The only possible explanation is that it went on for too long.