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Column: Trusting NFL/ESPN backfired for Jets/QB Darnold, when “ghosts” hit airwaves

For the NFL, this Halloween has come too soon.

When a quarterback’s in-game comment about “seeing ghosts” sneaks onto the “Monday Night Football” broadcast, that’s a trick instead of a treat for the QB, and one that left Sam Darnold and the Jets feeling like someone stole their pumpkin.

“I’m seeing ghosts,” Darnold said from his team’s sideline, a comment not meant for outsiders’ ears.

Football ghosts are pass rushers who appear real but aren’t. Even grizzled NFL quarterbacks see these goblins from time to time. Just this past weekend, Hall of Fame QB Dan Fouts said Philip Rivers saw “a phantom” Sunday in the San Diegan’s 215th NFL start.