One day after cornerback Tyrique Stevenson said he didn’t want his Fail Mary gaffe to define him, Bears cornerbacks coach Jon Hoke said Friday he had a lot to deal with in the aftermath of the Commanders’ game-winning touchdown.
“Let’s be honest: It’s a tough one, especially in this city where football matters,” Hoke said. “He gets introduced the next game and he gets booed and all that. It’s tough.”
Hoke acknowledged the effect of the gaffe— “We had some tough games after that,” he said — but said sensed that Stevenson’s teammates remained supportive.
“Players are truly forgiving of teammates, they really are,” he said. “That’s what make it unique about sport, is they do protect each other.”
Stevenson said Thursday that he didn't want his Hail Mary mistake to define him. He notoriously gestured toward Bears and Commanders fans at the start of what turned into a 52-yard Hail Mary. The receiver Stevenson was supposed to be covering caught the touchdown after time expired.
“It’s gonna be what it is, for the rest of my life,” Stevenson said Thursday. “It was a play that I was trying to help my team win. But I feel like what I did before the play is overshadowing the fact that I tried to slap the ball down and send my team home with a victory. It’s literally a lesson learned. A life-changing event. All I can do is move forward.”
