Tyrique Stevenson was a promising second-year cornerback for the Chicago Bears in 2024 when they met the Washington Commanders in a Week 8 game last October at Northwest Stadium. As a rookie in 2023, Stevenson started 16 games for the Bears and led the team with four interceptions.
Back to last season’s game against Washington. The Commanders, led by No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels, had dominated the Bears, led by No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. Unfortunately for Washington, over 400 total yards only resulted in four field goals, allowing the Bears to shockingly take a 15-12 lead late in the fourth quarter. Things looked bleak after Roschon Johnson’s 1-yard touchdown run with 25 seconds remaining. Chicago also converted a 2-point conversion, making it 15-12, meaning a Washington field goal would only tie the game.
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The Commanders begin their final drive at the 24-yard line with 19 seconds remaining. Daniels’ first pass to tight end Zach Ertz falls incomplete. On second down, Daniels finds Ertz for an 11-yard gain, then Washington calls its final timeout. With six seconds remaining, Daniels hits Terry McLaurin for a 13-yard gain to the Commanders’ 48-yard line to set up one Hail Mary attempt.
The ball was snapped with two seconds remaining, and Daniels dropped back, scanned the field, rolled right, bought time, then came back to his left, stopped around the 35-yard line, and unleashed a Hail Mary into the end zone. Miraculously, it was tipped and into the waiting hands of Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown.
Ballgame. Washington wins.
On the replay, we see Stevenson off toward the sideline, taunting Washington fans, while the play was underway. Once Stevenson realized it, he rushed toward the goal line, and he was the player who tipped the game-winner into Brown’s hands.
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Here’s a reminder.
Stevenson immediately became a meme. Washington fans, as well as fans across the NFL, had fun with Stevenson’s misfortune. His season, and the Bears’ season, never recovered. Stevenson felt shame for the play and apologized.
Now, Stevenson heads back to the place where he had the worst moment of his football playing career as the Commanders host the Bears at Northwest Stadium on Monday Night Football.
Stevenson recently spoke about the backlash he received from his mistake, which made it all possible.
“It was harsh, it hurt my feelings,” Stevenson said, via Gene Chamberlain of the Associated Press. “That’s the best way I can explain it — it just hurt my feelings being a football player and having one of those mistakes that’s going to linger around. Even when my son grows up, I’ve got to explain that to him. It definitely hurt. But just use it as fuel.”
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“The only thing I can do from then on is show my actions have changed so I can become a better man and a better football player on the field.”
Is he ready to return to Washington?
“Going back to a hostile environment, they’re going to do their best job to rattle me as much as they can,” Stevenson said. “But like I was saying earlier, the best thing I can do is come out here and show these 10 (teammates) I’m locked in and ready to go.”
You’ll likely hear a lot about Stevenson ahead of Monday night.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Bears CB returns after embarrassing moment