Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson had an eventful game Sunday against the Washington Commanders. He made some plays, got into a heated argument with Commanders star wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and got called for a personal foul. However, the Bears’ defensive back will only regret his actions during the game’s final play.
The Bears led 15-12 with two seconds remaining. Commanders need a prayer to win the game on the final play. An improbable chance for Washington, Stevenson believed Chicago had the game wrapped up. A giddy Stevenson taunted fans Commanders fans before the final play. He continued for about five seconds after the ball got snapped, as Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels ran around to buy time for a Hail Mary throw to the end zone.
Stevenson casually ran over to the pile of players as the ball sailed into the front of the end zone, tipping the ball backward right into the hands of Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown for the game-winning touchdown.
Sequence laminated rough outing for Stevenson
The sequence was instant karma for the Bears defender. Maybe if he is not busy gloating and taunting fans before the play, he’d recognize Brown sinking behind the first level of players. Instead, his late reaction caused the ball to pop into Brown’s hands.
His jawing got him in trouble earlier in the game with an unnecessary roughness penalty. Initially the sequence started with Stevenson trading barbs with McLaurin. Eventually one of McLaurin’s teammates jumped in and Stevenson poked him his face mask that drew the penalty.
Stevenson also gave beat by McLaurin for a 61-yard reception that set up a Washington field goal.
The Bears DB may have some explaining to do to head coach Matt Eberflus and the rest of the Chicago Bears coaching staff.
Ultimately, the Commanders’ fans that he taunted had the last laugh. The DC Miracle gave Daniels the win over Caleb Williams in the top two draft picks’ first NFL clash against each other.
Defensive players get taught to bat the ball down in Hail Mary situations. Instead, Stevenson played right into Washington’s hands by tipping the ball in the air.
The Bears fall to a 4-3 record on the season, while the Commanders improve to 6-2. Tyrique Stevenson surely will take the brunt of the blame after seeing his actions before the snap of the Hail Mary.
