The young soccer players playing on fields across Quebec have reason to be proud and are drawing great motivation from the duel between the Washington Commanders and the Atlanta Falcons, in which two local players are in the starting lineup.
Benjamin St-Juste, a third-year cornerback for the Commanders, faced off against Matthew Bergeron, a guard for the Falcons. In the end it was the St-Juste gang who won 24:16 in a pretty exciting duel.
To make matters worse, St-Juste even had his first career interception. We’ll be back, promise!
It is not the first time that two Quebecers have faced each other in the NFL, but it is an event that remains quite rare.
On December 18, 2016, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and the Kansas City Chiefs faced the Tennessee Titans, with Laval facing Mehdi Abdesmad. The latter took part in 28% of his team’s defensive games.
Most recently, on November 28, 2021, Duvernay-Tardif appeared in his second incarnation with the New York Jets against the Houston Texans. The latter counted tight end Antony Auclair among their ranks, who was involved in 23% of his team’s offensive plays.
Quite a moment!
Benjamin St-Juste celebrated his first career NFL interception with teammate Safety Kamren Curl. Getty Images via AFP
Without denigrating recent confrontations between Quebec players, the one between Bergeron and St-Juste had a unique character. Both players will play full-time this season. Full time as in 100% of the offensive plays for Bergeron and 100% of the defensive plays for St-Juste, no less.
It’s already a feat to secure a spot in the NFL as a Quebecer when there are so many talented players in the United States. An even more inspiring accomplishment is earning a position as a starter and making big plays.
Speaking of big games, St-Juste’s certainly contributed to the Commanders’ victory.
His team held on to a 24-16 lead in the fourth quarter, but the defense began to show signs of fatigue. The Falcons advanced to the goal and with 5:11 to play, Desmond Ridder attempted a pass to receiver Drake London.
St-Juste reached the end zone and the threat was over. At least temporarily, until a final attempt by the Falcons ended in another interception, this time by Jamin Davis.
Shared feelings
While the moment is less pleasant for Bergeron, it is unforgettable for St-Juste.
And that may be especially true for many Quebec teenagers who see that it’s not only possible to play in the NFL, but to excel in it.
Overall, the Commanders can breathe a little easier as they have a .500 (3-3) record and are staying in the game instead of getting bogged down. Who knows if St-Juste’s theft in a few weeks won’t be seen as a turning point of the season. He previously thought he would make two interceptions in the NFL, but each time a penalty sabotaged his dream. This time it was good.
All is not lost for Bergeron and the Falcons, who also have a 3-3 record. In the South Division of the National Conference, all dreams are allowed, even if young quarterback Desmond Ridder’s mistakes must be controlled.
Anyway, it may be a cliché, but the real winner of such a game is Quebec football. Really!