Kickers are people too.
And until everyone, including officials, recognize them as such, they need to have each other’s back. That’s what Justin Tucker did when he saw a terrible call involving Buffalo Bills kicker Dan Carpenter on Monday Night Football.
At the end of the first half, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman jumped offsides on a field-goal attempt and launched into Carpenter’s thigh/knee area. Carpenter fell to the ground, clutching his knee in pain.
The officials penalized Sherman for jumping before the snap, but there was no personal foul penalty. On top of that, the referees punished the Bills when they announced that Carpenter had to leave the field because he was attended to by trainers.