In American football, a pass deflected, also known as a pass deflection,[1] a pass defended, a pass defensed, a pass knockdown, or a pass breakup, is an incomplete pass that is caused by a defensive player. This is done by slapping or blocking the ball, and is an important statistic for determining a defensive back's effectiveness.
An interception is similar to a deflected pass, except the defender catches and gains possession of the football.