Duck Steals Spotlight in Buccaneers’ Victory, Becomes Viral Sensation
A surprise duck visitor became the star attraction for 10 crazy minutes during Tampa Bay’s blowout victory over Carolina on Sunday. While the Bucs moved closer to their NFC South title with a 41-14 win, a lost duck got the crowd super excited and blew up on social media.
The game came to a stop at a big moment, right before a huge play where Tryon-Shoyinka broke through to block a punt. That block set up Russell to run 23 yards for a touchdown, pushing Tampa’s big lead even further in the third quarter.
The crowd went nuts with “Duck-y Duck-y Duck-y” chants during the unexpected pause. Later, the team’s social media folks got laughs by editing their feathered visitor into Bucs gear. The NFL X account also changed its header to an image of the duck on the field and their bio to “the Tampa Bay Duckaneers.“
With five minutes to go in the third, the blocked punt turned into a touchdown as Russell grabbed the ball and ran it in. This special team’s play added to Tampa’s offensive show. Fans watched, entertained and intrigued, as workers tried to catch their unexpected visitor. Bucs’ flag runner, Anchor Brant, was able to get close enough to the duck to pick it up without harming it. He eventually walked it outside the stadium to release it.
“I caught a duck on the field. I caught a duck on the field,” said Anchor Brant, a member of the Buccaneers Flag Crew, as he lovingly kissed and petted the fowl.
Mayfield was on fire, throwing four touchdowns including an impressive 94-yard scoring drive. The win puts the Bucs in great shape — they’ll lock up their division with one more win plus an Atlanta loss in the next two weeks.
A win against New Orleans next week, plus just one Atlanta loss, will give Tampa Bay the division title. This win against Carolina kept their playoff hopes strong.
