Matt Prater was unaffiliated with the Buffalo Bills organization on Wednesday evening, possibly thinking his NFL career at 41 was a thing of the past. Four days later, he booted a game-winner.
Gridiron fans couldn’t believe Prater got off the couch and completed the huge comeback for the Bills to take down the mighty Baltimore Ravens 41-40 on Sunday night, with the final kick going through the uprights as time expired.
Prater has had a long NFL career, with most gridiron fans knowing him for his time with the Cardinals and Lions. He would not have been kicking if not for a serious injury to usual starter Tyler Bass, who was placed on injured reserve by Buffalo last week.
Yet, Prater taking a red-eye flight to Buffalo to be part of the practice squad, then elevated to the 53-man active roster in a Divisional round rematch from last season, has left NFL fans in shock.
Prater has been a consistent special-teamers throughout the last two decades, nailing over 450 career field goals.
Yet, Prater’s exclamation point to cap a 15-point comeback for the Bills was enough to put a spotlight on one of the NFL’s elder statesmen once again.
NFL fans can’t believe that Matt Prater went from free agent to Buffalo Bills hero in four days
Prater nailed the 32-yard, game-winning kick as time expired on Sunday against the Ravens
‘MATT PRATER LOOKS LIKE THE TEAM PULLED A RANDOM (GRANDPA) FROM THE STANDS ASKED HIM TO KICK,’ one NFL fan said on social media.
‘Like your dad’s friend from college at a Halloween party,’ a second Bills supporter stated.
Another football fan posted a GIF of actor Bob Odenkirk from his infamous role as lawyer Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, for his appearance, not his business dealings.
‘Believe it or not Aaron Rodgers is 8 months older than Prater,’ a fourth continued.
‘He’s swinging by Target on the way home tonight,’ a fifth added.
‘Matt Prater won the game and looks like a dad holding his son’s game ball,’ a sixth concluded.
A collection of social-medias messages about Matt Prater after his game-winning field goal
Prater will be the starter in Buffalo for at least the next few weeks, as Bass can only return to active duty in Week 5, at the earliest.
It is clear Prater has already earned the respect of his teammates by his actions, with them mobbing him in Orchard Park after the game-winning field goal.
Kickers have played in the NFL into their 40s before, like Morten Andersen and Adam Vinatieri.
Prater made all five of his kicks in the game, three field goals and two extra points, with none more important than his 32-yarder as the scoreboard read all zeroes.
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