Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

WATCH: Jonathan Celestin talks about emotional pick-six months after losing his father

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

It had been a dream for Jonathan Celestin. Just once, the Minnesota senior linebacker wanted to score a touchdown on a pick-six.

The dream became a reality on Saturday afternoon during the Gophers’ B1G West match-up against Illinois, and it came at a critical point in the game. With just over four minutes to play and leading 17-10, Celestin jumped in front of a pass and took it the other direction for the score. The game-changing moment all but sealed the win for Minnesota.

But the interception was even more special for Celestin. In April, the Minnesota linebacker lost his father in an SUV-pedestrian accident, according to TwinCities.com. Celestin wanted to honor his late father with that type of play.

When Celestin crossed the goal line in the fourth quarter, he pointed to the sky.

After Minnesota’s win over Illinois, Celestin and head coach P.J. Fleck talked about that special moment with Big Ten Network.

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB