ANN ARBOR, Mich. — There were certainly a lot of people in Ann Arbor who tuned into the Detroit Lions road game at the Houston Texans. And, if you missed it, you missed one of the great stories in the NFL continuing to unfold.
The Lions offense struggled mightily throughout the game, and despite Jared Goff throwing five interceptions, they remained within striking distance. The game came down to kicker Jake Bates, who only a year and a half ago, was working as a brick salesman, and earlier this year, was playing in the UFL with the Michigan Panthers. After drilling some 58-yarders like they were routine, the local Lions snatched him up after incumbent kicker, Michael Badgley, was injured in camp.
What’s next will forever live in Lions lore, regardless of what happens this season. Bates kicked a 58-yarder to tie the game, with the ball nearly caressing the right upright. Then, with time expiring, he kicked a 52-yarder, which won the game for Detroit, 26-23.
For Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada, that’s a story that resonates, and one he won’t forget anytime soon.
“He’s kind of become an idol people like kickers have been looking up to this past couple weeks,” Zvada said. “And so his story is remarkable. And I’m super happy for him. And I mean — what he’s doing right now is unbelievable.”
While watching, Zvada says he put himself in Bates’ shoes, thinking through what he would be feeling in such a pressure-filled situation. Though he notes that kickers tend to feel less internal pressure than people watching the games, he can empathize with Bates or any other kicker — he mentioned that Blake Grupe, who also played at Arkansas State as Zvada had before transferring to Michigan, also kicked a game-winner for the Saints on Sunday — who finds themselves at the center of attention in an NFL contest with the game on the line.
“Yeah, I do,” Zvada said. “And it’s always nice to see kickers make kicks, because, I mean, I’m rooting for them, regardless of if I’m rooting for the team or not. But, I’m always happy to see those guys, because I know what being in there — I mean, not the NFL guys — but being in their shoes, being under pressure on a kick and then being successful, it’s always a great feeling. So I’m always really happy for them.”