Robbie Gould's cherished kick from his career is a heartfelt tribute to Bears fans.
Arguably the greatest kicker in the history of the Chicago Bears has officially retired. Robbie Gould bid farewell to the NFL in a heartfelt post on the Players' Tribune, where he reflected on his remarkable journey that began with a walk-on tryout invitation from Joe Paterno at Penn State University back in 2001.
Over the course of 18 distinguished years in the NFL, Gould made his mark. After spending 11 seasons in Chicago, where he became the franchise's all-time leading scorer, he had a brief stint with the New York Giants before finding a home with the San Francisco 49ers, where he concluded his career.
Among his numerous achievements, one stands out: his flawless postseason field-goal percentage. Gould went 29-for-29 across 16 playoff games, creating countless memorable moments. Yet, in his mind, one kick rises above the rest.
"It was January of 2022," he recounted. "Playoffs. Green Bay vs. San Francisco. Lambeau Field. The score was tied at 10-10, with just four seconds left on the clock. Jimmy G. had masterfully led the Niners offense 44 yards in nine plays against the top-seeded Packers. Deebo and Juszczyk had made crucial plays, giving us a chance to win it from 45 yards out and send San Francisco to the NFC Championship.
"The temperature was below freezing, and it felt just like the windy city where I had played before. Snow was falling softly, and the field was soft. It wasn't ideal, but as a kicker, it was one of those moments I lived for every time I stepped onto the field. And then...
We split the uprights right down the middle."
While Gould will always hold a special place in his heart for Chicago, where he met his wife and raised his family, his 21 matchups against the Green Bay Packers as a member of the Bears cemented a deep-seated rivalry.
Richard Hightower, the Bears' special teams coordinator who had the same role with the 49ers that season, emphasized the significance of that unforgettable night at Lambeau Field, saying, "It was an incredible experience for our entire football team. A huge kick for him, for sure, and a monumental moment for the franchise. Whenever you beat Green Bay, it's something to savor. It was indeed a special moment, one that the guys on that team will treasure. As we continue building something special here, I hope we can create such moments. Bears fans and everyone here deserve to experience that joy. It's why we come to work every day�for moments like that."
Gould concluded, "I've always had immense respect for the Packers and the fierce Bears-Packers rivalry. But more than anything, I have an enduring love for Bears fans. So, to make such a crucial kick on the grandest stage, maintaining my perfect playoff record, and bringing joy to all of Chicago by defeating its arch-rival�it truly was the best of both worlds."
| POLL | ||
8 DECEMBRE | 35 ANSWERS Robbie Gould's cherished kick from his career is a heartfelt tribute to Bears fans. Is Robbie Gould the best Bears kicker ever? | ||
| yes | 34 | 97.1 % |
| No | 1 | 2.9 % |
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