Fate Through Two Bars of Steel
The chill of January in Chicago, the palpable tension in the air, and a single kick that could either etch a player’s name in glory or infamy. This was the scene on January 6, 2019, at Soldier Field, where the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Chicago Bears in a wild card playoff game that concluded in a moment so dramatic, so heart-wrenching, that it transcended the usual sports narrative.
The Stakes: A Background
The Chicago Bears, led by their ferocious defense, had clinched the NFC North title, finishing the regular season with a 12-4 record. Their opponents, the Philadelphia Eagles, were the defending Super Bowl champions but had squeaked into the playoffs as a wild card team. The stage was set for a classic David vs. Goliath matchup, but in this instance, both teams had their share of strengths and vulnerabilities.
What was at stake for these two teams?
For the Bears, it was a chance to prove that their season-long dominance, especially on defense, was no fluke. For the Eagles, it was about defending their title, showing that their previous Super Bowl win wasn’t just a lucky break.
The Kick Heard Around Chicago
Fast forward to the fourth quarter, with less than a minute left on the clock. The Eagles had just taken a late lead, but the Bears, with home-field advantage and a raucous crowd behind them, were driving down the field. As the seconds ticked down, all eyes turned to Cody Parkey, the Bears’ kicker. The game rested on his shoulders—or more precisely, his right foot.
Could he deliver under immense pressure?
With just 10 seconds left, Parkey lined up for a 43-yard field goal. The snap was good, the hold was perfect, and Parkey’s kick went soaring towards the uprights. But then, in a twist of fate, the ball hit the left upright, then the crossbar, in what would infamously become known as the “double doink.” The ball fell into the end zone. No good. The stadium, which had been a cauldron of noise, fell eerily silent.
More on this moment at NFL.com.
The Aftermath and Reflection
The immediate aftermath of the kick was a mixture of shock and disbelief. Eagles players celebrated their narrow escape, while Bears players and fans were left to ponder what had just happened. Cody Parkey, who had been solid throughout the season, found himself the scapegoat of a city’s dashed hopes.
But was it really all his fault?
Upon closer inspection, and confirmed by later reports, it was revealed that the kick had been tipped at the line of scrimmage by an Eagles player. This minute but critical detail shifted some of the narrative away from Parkey’s failure to a collective moment of fate, where inches changed the course of history.
The legacy of this game is multifaceted. It is a story of resilience, of how a team can rally around a beleaguered player. It’s a tale of the thin line between victory and defeat in sports, and how luck, skill, and fate intertwine on the grand stage of professional football.
The Eagles’ subsequent playoff run, and the Bears’ struggle to find consistency in their kicker position, further emphasized the impact of that one play. It wasn’t just a missed kick; it was a moment that defined careers, shaped futures, and will forever be etched in the lore of NFL playoffs.
This game, this kick, remains a poignant reminder of the highs and lows of professional sports, where heroes and villains are often decided by moments too quick for the naked eye, yet too significant to ever be forgotten.
Explore more about NFL history and memorable playoffs at NFL History.
