THE Chicago Bears have endured a miserable season but just secured one of their biggest highlights.
Bears fans rushed to social media to state that the team had gained “redemption” and that the “curse has been lifted” after a similar play was called back for a penalty a decade ago.
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They managed to pull off an incredible bit of trickery to fool their biggest rivals in Week 18.
In the first quarter of the game at Lambeau Field the Bears held the Green Bay Packers to a three and out.
The special teams units came onto the field for what looked to be a routine punt, with Josh Blackwell to return.
The punt went as expected with Irish-born Daniel Wheelan booming one downfield.
And that’s where the trickery came in.
The Bears filled one side of the field, with the Packers special teams unit rushing to that side to tackle Blackwell.
Only the punt had been kicked to the opposite side of the field, with Blackwell there to catch it.
Chicago tricked the entire Packers team and returner Blackwell was able to run through for a relatively unopposed 94-yard touchdown.
It was the sixth punt return TD of the season and the second-longest, with only Jacksonville’s Parker Washington (96 yards) going longer.
Blackwell celebrated with a Lambeau leap into where some Bears fans were sitting.
Bears fans rushed to social media to gloat about the play and also remember one from a decade ago that got away.
Devin Hester – who has a record 20 return touchdowns – was involved, of course.
In 2011, the NFL Hall of Famer stood back like he was going to catch with the Bears players heading to his side of the field after the punt.
On the other side, receiver Johnny Knox actually caught the ball and took it back for a score – only for a holding call to bring it all the way back.
Bears fans said the play was “redemption” on Reddit.
NFL head coach annual salaries
1. Andy Reid – Chiefs – $20 million
2. Sean Payton – Broncos – $18 million
=3. Mike Tomlin – Steelers – $16 million
=3. Jim Harbaugh – Chargers – $16 million
5. Sean McVay – Rams – $15 million
6. Kyle Shanahan – 49ers – $14 million
7. John Harbaugh – Ravens – $12 million
=8. Dan Campbell – Lions – $11 million
=8. Sean McDermott – Bills – $11 million
10. Mike MacDonald – Seahawks – $10 million
One wrote: “That one’s for you, Johnny.”
Another added: “WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED!”
One said: “Bears get absolutely nothing from this besides the satisfaction of f***ing the Packers and they’re going to go down like heroes for it.”
Another wrote: “Redemption for Hester and Knox.”
One said: “No ghost penalty this time! The curse is lifted!”
While another said: “Finally revenge for a phantom penalty that took away one of these against the Packers over a decade ago.”
