Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson wasn’t looking at the offense when Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dropped back for a Hail Mary attempt on Sunday. He was looking at, and taunting, the fans at Northwest Stadium.
Daniels took the final snap, scrambled in the pocket from sideline to sideline for 13 seconds, covering an estimated 40 yards behind the line of scrimmage before heaving the ball 64 yards to Chicago’s goal line.
Stevenson leaped into the air and tipped the ball with his fingertips. The pigskin landed in the arms of receiver Noah Brown in the endzone for a miraculous game-winning touchdown.
A video showing Stevenson jawing with fans before the play went viral on social media after his squad’s 18-15 loss. For several seconds, the 24-year-old waved on fans and jokingly raised his arms, urging them to get louder. He didn’t appear to notice that the play had started until Chicago supporters begged him to turn around.
“Talk about karma,” former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III wrote on X.
After the ridicule rolled in, Stevenson took to social media to apologize.
“To Chicago and teammates my apologies for lack of awareness and focus,” he wrote. “The game ain’t over until zeros hit the clock. Can’t take anything for granted. Notes taken, improvement will happen.”
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
— Tyrique Stevenson (@dreamchaserTy10) October 28, 2024
The last-second loss sent the Bears to 4-3, the worst record in the stacked NFC North. They’ll travel to Arizona to face the Cardinals on Sunday.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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