Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk Watched Michigan Celebrate National Title in Heartbreaking Viral Photo

It was a heartbreaking night for the Washington Huskies. 

A team that played the underdog role seemingly all year long en route to a 14—0 record did so again on Monday night, sticking around until the fourth quarter in their 34—13 loss to Michigan in the College Football Playoff national championship game. 

Perhaps nothing captured the heartbreak of Huskies players as well as one picture. 

With confetti fluttering down and Michigan players celebrating the victory, Washington wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk, with a towel on his head, took a seat on the turf at NRG Stadium and simply watched the trophy ceremony. ESPN's Pete Thamel captured the moment in a brilliant photo posted to his account on X, formerly Twitter. 

UW’s Ja’Lynn Polk watching the trophy ceremony. pic.twitter.com/i6bs5mv9LJ

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 9, 2024

The agony of defeat. 

Of course, Polk and the rest of the Huskies wouldn’t want to hear this after the loss, but they have plenty of reasons to hold their heads high. 

The sophomore wideout, who enjoyed a breakout campaign with 1,159 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, was a huge part of perhaps the nation's best offense, as well as one of the best Washington teams in program history. 

But in the aftermath of the game, the dominant emotion for Polk and the Huskies, understandably, is misery.