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NFL fans on Sunday may have wondered what the duck was up to when the bird flew onto the field at Raymond James Stadium during Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ win over the Carolina Panthers.
The duck appeared with about 5:30 left in the third quarter. The CBS broadcast began to focus on the animal when the Buccaneers blocked panthers punt. JJ Russell returned the ball 23 yards into the end zone for a touchdown.
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December 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; A duck stands on the field during the third quarter of the NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
The Buccaneers staff was able to get the duck to safety. Fans on social media went wild.
The score gave Tampa Bay a 41-14 lead. The Buccaneers won the game 48-14 after Jalen McMillan scored his second touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The look of the duck has taken the internet and the NFL by storm as the league has installed the duck as its new cover photo on its X account. But McMillan didn’t like that very much. He said he saw the duck and didn’t like it.
“It was one of the bad moments of the game – that duck that landed on the pitch,” he said he told WFLA-TV. “Ducks don’t bring luck. They’re weird. I hate ducks.”
December 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; A duck broke up the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
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McMillan didn’t say exactly why he hates ducks, but it could have something to do with his alma mater. The wide receiver attended Washington and had to contend Oregon Ducks in his career. The two schools are rivals.
Ducks are also considered lucky in some cultures, even if McMillan isn’t a fan. The duck appeared on the punt block, and it turned out to be lucky for Tampa Bay — not so much for Carolina.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan runs against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
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The Buccaneers selected McMillan in the third round of the 2024 draft. The rookie has 32 catches for 387 yards and seven touchdowns this season. One more win and the Bucs are in the playoffs.
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