Maybe Evan McPherson just didn’t want to get hurt again.
The Bengals kicker, who lifted his team to victory Monday night in a 34—31 overtime win over the Jaguars as his winning kick sailed through the uprights, had an unintentionally amusing moment during the contest.
McPherson missed a field goal attempt from 57 yards out in the first quarter but was given a chance to redeem himself in the fourth quarter with the game tied at 28 and under three minutes to go. The Bengals kicker’s 54-yard attempt had the distance this time but looked like it was going to sail wide right.
Cameras caught McPherson’s reaction to the near-miss, which was priceless.
Take a look for yourself:
.@mcpherson_evan didn't realize he made the go-ahead kick 😅 pic.twitter.com/gaSvJ5jkh5
— NFL (@NFL) December 5, 2023
Like a golfer who was sure a shot was sliced only to turn around and see it on the fairway, McPherson initially was angry at himself, then confused and finally, relieved. It was pretty amusing to see his surprised reaction as to why his teammates were so excited.
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One can hardly blame McPherson for this reaction, given that he burned himself two years ago on a previous game-winning attempt. In an overtime loss to the Packers in October 2021, the Bengals placekicker missed from 49 yards out, but began celebrating early, thinking he had made it.
No wonder McPherson did the opposite on Monday night in Jacksonville. Fortunately for the Bengals, Monday night’s game ultimately had a happier ending.
