Bears kicker Cody Parkey isn’t totally to blame for the team’s shocking loss to the Eagles on Sunday night.
In case you missed it/hate fun, Cody Parkey missed a last second kick to win Sunday’s wild card game against the Eagles. The ball hit the upright in what everybody assumed was a miss or a doink:
ICYMI: The reigning Super Bowl champs get by the Bears after Cody Parkey’s game-winning FG attempt was tipped, hit the post AND crossbar.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/vg78mX3GSj
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 7, 2019
But after almost 24 hours of review, the NFL changed Parkey’s 43-yard kick from a “miss” to a “block” by Eagles defensive tackle Treyvon Hester. (RELATED: NFL Wild Card Weekend: Here Are The Best Moments You May Have Missed)
So what did it take to change the ruling?
A lot of super slow-mo film from a lot of different angles, Hester’s personal testimony and maybe Parkey’s inevitably bruised ego.
Was Cody Parkey’s final kick tipped by Treyvon Hester?
(via @ScottGustin) pic.twitter.com/VI7tbWA3Lh
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 7, 2019
Cody Parkey owned up to his kicks like a man. Respect. pic.twitter.com/v5HGUkK6km
— Barstool Chicago (@barstoolchicago) January 7, 2019
“Me and Haloti [Ngata] … we got penetration, got the hand up like coach always says,” Hester said per the Philadelphia Daily News. “Tipped off my fingertips. Felt good … [but] actually, I thought I didn’t get enough of it, I thought it was going to go in. When I saw it going in, I turned back around [away from the goal posts]. Then I heard everybody screaming, I was like, oh, [expletive] … he missed it.”
At least Parkey’s being a good sport about it. Chicago fans, on the other hand … not so much.
At least Parkey has a fuller Venmo account today. Silver linings, right?