Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson apologized after taunting the Washington Commanders fans while the game-ending play, which saw the home team win on a Hail Mary touchdown, was underway.
Stevenson was detached from the rest of the Bears defense, wandering close to the sideline, waving his arms in premature celebration.
Behind him, the final play of the game had been snapped with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels finding space in the pocket before launching the ball downfield. Realizing his error, Stevenson sprinted to join the melee but only succeeded in tipping the ball up into the air before it landed in the hands of Noah Brown in the end zone.
Wow.
Tyrique Stevenson seen taunting the crowd while the Hail Mary play was getting snapped.
Ultimately led to a touchdown that bounced off his hand.
Cant make this stuff up. #Bears
— Sky Kruse (@KruseSports_) October 28, 2024
The play swiftly went viral on social media. It gave the Commanders an 18-15 win with all eyes on Stevenson.
He wrote 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.”
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 Bears had put themselves in a winning position thanks to Roschon Johnson’s touchdown run with 25 seconds to go and Bears coach Matt Eberflus was angry they had let it slip.
Eberflus unimpressed
He said: “It comes down to that last play, and we’ve practised that play a hundred times since we’ve been here.
“I’ll have to look at what the execution was on that, but we have a body on a body, boxing guys out like basketball at the very end. We have one guy at the rim that knocks the ball down. We’ve got a tip guy that goes behind the pile. I’ve got to look at it and detail it out and make sure we’re better next time.
“When you lose a game like that, that’s a tough one to swallow.
“Was excited how they battled back to have a chance to win that game. It’s important to look at that too.”
Stevenson’s error was key but it was also a tough game for rookie Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who finished 10-of-24 passing.
“I’ve got to be better,” Williams said. “Definitely missed a few passes that I don’t miss typically so, tough, but very encouraging because we stayed in it.”
