The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ crucial clash against the Carolina Panthers had to be momentarily paused Sunday when an usual spectator waddled onto the field.
In an amusing twist to the NFC South matchup, a duck found its way onto the turf at Raymond James Stadium during the third quarter of the Bucs’ dominant 48-14 victory.
The female mallard appeared unfazed on the 20-yard touchline, despite the high-stakes action unfolding around it, as it managed to secure a great view of a blocked punt by Tampa Bay.
Buccaneers’ outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka blocked the punt, which was recovered by inside linebacker J.J. Russell and returned 23 yards for a touchdown, extending the score to 41-14.
The score remained 41-14 for the remainder of the third quarter, before Tampa Bay continued its rout in the fourth with another touchdown.
A duck wandered on to the field at Raymond James Stadium during an NFL game Sunday
The Buccaneers’ win over the Panthers was briefly paused as the duck was ushered off
The Tampa Bay Duck Saga 🦆 pic.twitter.com/zw7kb4UjlO
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
The duck found its way onto the field after it appeared to have flown into Raymond James Stadium and selected the turf as its landing spot.
After trying to evade multiple attempts by stadium staff to guide it off the field, the duck was eventually gently ushered to the Bucs’ sideline without incident.
The duck was scooped up by a gameday worker who was able to carry it off the sideline and down the tunnel, according to ESPN. It was then set free outside where it flew away.
The bird was repeatedly shown on the jumbotron much to the delight of fans within the stadium, who cheered every time it was featured on the big screen and even began chanting, ‘Ducky!’
‘That was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen here,’ wide receiver Mike Evans said of the duck.
‘That was our good luck duck. I’ve never seen us block a punt and then we scored a touchdown. When the duck flew on the field, that was amazing.’
The Buccaneers went on to seal the victory, thanks to Baker Mayfield’s five touchdown pᴀsses.
Former Oregon Duck Bucky Irving, who claimed the duck’s appearance was a sign that his former school was going to win the national championship, ran for 113 yards on 20 carries, while Evans caught eight pᴀsses for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
The win saw Tampa Bay improve to 9-7 and keep their playoff chances alive. Todd Bowles’ team was handed an extra boost later on Sunday night when the Atlanta Falcons were bested by the Washington Commanders in overtime.
The result placed the playoff race firmly in Tampa Bay’s hands. With one game of the regular season remaining, if the Bucs can prevail over the New Orleans Saints at the weekend then they will clinch their fourth consecutive NFC South Division тιтle.
