QB David Blough, who famously celebrated his Olympic hurdling wife, to start Sunday for Cardinals

On Friday, Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury announced that quarterback David Blough would start Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons in place of Colt McCoy, who is out with concussion symptoms.

Blough, a former Detroit Lion, went viral last year after the team released a video of the quarterback going nuts watching his wife, hurdler Melissa Gonzalez, qualify for the 400m hurdle semifinals at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. 

On Sunday, the spotlight will be on Blough as he makes only the sixth start of his NFL career and the first since 2019. 

After four years at Purdue, Blough signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2019 before being traded to Detroit ahead of the season. Due to injuries late in the year, Blough was forced into the starting role. The Lions went winless in Blough’s five starts, while the former Boilermaker finished 94-of-174 with four touchdowns and six interceptions.

An emotional Blough spoke with reporters Friday, shortly after learning he’d be the Cardinals’ starting quarterback against the Falcons. 

“To be here standing before you, I’m blessed,” Blough said. “Thankful for everybody. Coaches, family, everybody who have helped me be able to stand where I’m standing with this opportunity this week. I hope they all know that I’m just going to cut it loose.”

Blough will be the fourth quarterback to take a snap for the Cardinals this season, joining McCoy, Trace McSorley and Kyler Murray. 

You’re not wrong if you think a lot of different quarterbacks have played this season in the NFL. According to ESPN Stats and Info, with Blough and Las Vegas Raiders QB Jarrett Stidham scheduled to start, the number of different starting quarterbacks this season will climb to 64, tied for the second most in NFL history.