Jamaal Charles on critical fumble vs. Broncos: 'I caused the loss today'

Football can be a cruel endeavor and Jamaal Charles was a paragon before turning into a goat in a matter of seconds.

With Monday's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos tied at 24, Charles fumbled the ball after being hit by Darian Stewart and Brandon Marshall.

Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby sprinted 21 yards to the end zone for a touchdown, giving his team an insurmountable 31-24 lead with 27 seconds remaing.

After the game, a seemingly distraught Charles accepted responsibility for the defeat.

"I caused the loss today," Charles said post-game via Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star. "I tried to put the team on my back, and I ended up losing the game. That was all on me tonight."

Until the crucial turnover, Charles was in the middle of an excellent game, rushing for 125 yards and a touchdown and was the Chiefs' best offensive player by a wide margin.

With 36 seconds left, Peyton Manning found Emmanuel Sanders for a game-tying 19-yard touchdown. It was the first time since 2009 that a team won after trailing by more than seven points with a minute remaining.