A Giants linebacker earned a $1 million bonus with the help of a minor stat correction from NFL

The bonus is significant for Golden, who signed a one-year deal with the Giants worth $3,750,000 heading into the season.
Not only will the bonus give Golden an extra million, but his 10-sack season will also likely go a long way in making sure his next contract is a healthy one.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

New York Giants linebacker Markus Golden hit a $1 million bonus in his contract on Tuesday, thanks to a stat correction from the NFL.

In Sunday's game against Washington, Golden broke around the offensive line to take down Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Haskins was being held up at the moment by fellow Giants linebacker Lorenzo Carter, with each player initially being awarded a half-sack on the play.

But after the league reviewed the play, Golden was awarded the full sack, bringing him to 10 sacks on the season and triggering a $1 million bonus in his contract.

"I earned it," said Golden, per ESPN .

Golden is the first Giant to record double-digit sacks on a season since Jason Pierre-Paul in 2014, and the first Giants linebacker to do so since Lawrence Taylor.

"It's always a goal to get double-digit sacks," Golden said. "If you're rushing the passer, you want to get there. It's a status thing 9.5 is a big difference than 10. It feels good to get it down, get it over with, and like I said, be able to put it out for my kids to be able to keep playing, keep fighting."

In Golden's case, the "big difference" between 9.5 and 10 was $1 million a significant sum for a player who had signed a one-year deal worth $3,750,000 heading into the season.

Golden's bonus isn't the only money he's made for himself this year. With his contract up at the end of the season, Golden's brilliant year likely went a long way in assuring his next contract is a healthy one.

NBA fans torched ESPN for using a new camera angle during the Lakers-Clippers Christmas game

THEN AND NOW: How the world's biggest sports stars have changed over the decade

The 50 greatest sports moments of the decade, ranked

The 27 most dominant athletes of 2019

NOW WATCH: 5 things about the NFL that football fans may not know