The Hail Jayden, Noah’s Arc, Maryland Miracle, call it what you want, it was the play of the year.
And there is one man to blame if you’re a Chicago Bears‘ fan.
Tyrique Stevenson bats the ball into the air, right into the waiting arms of Washington Commander, Noah Brown, for the game-winning TDGeoff Burke-Imagn Images
And one man to thank if you’re a Washington Commanders‘ fan.
Tyrique Stevenson.
Jayden Daniels‘ Hail Mary heave to the end zone as time expired, to give the Commanders a miraculous 18-15 win over the Bears, would never have happened if it weren’t for Stevenson.
As the ball was snapped on the game’s final play, Stevenson was caught on video taunting fans, with his back turned to the action.
Seconds into the play, he realized what was happening, and tried to put himself back into position to knock down Daniels’ desperate prayer.
The Bears cornerback did the opposite.
Instead of knocking it down, as he is taught to do, Stevenson batted the ball up into the air, right into the waiting arms of Commanders wide receiver, Noah Brown – the player he was supposedly tracking.
Ball game.
Game over.
The legend of Daniels grows, while Stevenson’s stinks to a new low.
After the game, Stevenson posted an apology on X.
“To Chicago and teammates my apologies for lack of awareness and focus …. The game ain’t over until zeros hit the clock.
“Can’t take anything for granted. Notes taken, improvement will happen. #Beardown”
Credit to Stevenson for owning it, but it still didn’t make things any less acceptable.
Putting himself and the team in such a position, on the brink of a win drew an immediate reaction from Bears fans.
The most ironic thing of all, Chicago probably win that game if Stevenson keeps his back turned and doesn’t get involved in the play.
More likely than not, the ball gets knocked down and the Bears exhale with a scrappy 15-12 win.
Caleb Williams, not Daniels, comes out on top between the battle of the first and second picks of the draft, and Chicago stays in the competitive NFC North race at 5-2.
Instead, they are now last in the toughest division in the NFL at 4-3, while the Commanders remain atop the NFC East at 6-2.
In an already historic season for Daniels, he adds another pelt to his wall.
And he has Stevenson to thank.
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