The New York Giants’ season of misfortune took a surreal turn Monday night when kicker Younghoe Koo delivered what may be the most bizarre and embarrassing field goal attempt in recent NFL history.
During the Giants’ 33-15 loss to the New England Patriots, Koo stepped up for a 47-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter. What followed was a moment that instantly went viral: Koo completely missed the ball, kicking the turf well before making contact with the football. The play was so unusual that even Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart could only stare in disbelief, a reaction that was captured by ESPN’s broadcast and quickly spread across social media.
What Went Wrong?
Koo later explained the strange mishap, citing the cold weather as a factor. “I was approaching the ball and, cold weather, the ball kind of slipped out at the bottom so it was moving,” Koo said. “I wasn’t able to kick through the ball. The ball was moving when I was driving to it, so I just pulled up on it. Jamie [Gillan] did a good job of catching it and putting it back but, at that point, it was too late.”
While the ball did appear to move slightly, replays showed that holder Jamie Gillan managed to reposition it before Koo’s foot hit the ground. Still, the kicker’s explanation has drawn mixed reactions, with many fans and analysts questioning whether the weather was truly to blame or if it was simply a rare mental lapse.
Special Teams Woes Continue for Giants
The whiffed field goal was just one of several special teams blunders for the Giants on Monday night. The Patriots capitalized on the momentum, with Marcus Jones returning a punt 94 yards for a touchdown—the game’s first score. Later, a helmet-to-helmet hit on Giants returner Gunner Olszewski led to a fumble that New England recovered, further extending their lead.
The Giants, now 2-11 on the season, have lost seven straight games and are officially out of playoff contention. Their special teams unit has become a recurring liability, with this latest failure serving as a painful symbol of their struggles.
What’s Next for Koo and the Giants?
Koo, who has only been with the Giants for the past three games, will look to bounce back as the team prepares to face the Washington Commanders in their next matchup. For now, though, the image of Koo kicking the turf instead of the ball will likely be replayed for years as one of the NFL’s most awkward moments.
While Koo’s explanation may not fully satisfy critics, the incident has sparked a wave of memes and jokes across social media, turning a tough night for the Giants into a viral sensation.
Key Takeaways
- Younghoe Koo whiffed a 47-yard field goal attempt, kicking the turf instead of the ball.
- Koo blamed the cold weather and a moving ball for the mishap.
- The Giants’ special teams struggled throughout the game, contributing to a 33-15 loss.
- The Giants are now 2-11 and out of playoff contention.
Sources
1. Giants' Younghoe Koo Had Weird Excuse for His Embarrassing Field Goal Fail
2. Younghoe Koo's field goal attempt goes horribly wrong as special teams woes continue for Giants
3. Younghoe Koo chunked the FG attempt resulting in a turnover on ...
