CUP OF JOE: Tyler Gets Thrown for a Loop

But in The End His Character Shines Through

After the Ravens won Super Bowl 47, I was asked by Tim Richardson, an executive with The Sports Legend Museum, to host a Q&A with Justin Tucker. During our discussion, I asked Tucker if there was ever a time when he was nervous prior to a kick.

“Just once”, was Tucker’s response. And then he explained why.

Following the Mile High Miracle, the Ravens were within one point of possibly pushing the Divisional Round Playoff Game into overtime. The PAT rattled Tucker’s nerves. Why?

“I knew if I missed, Ray Lewis’ career was over!”

Think about that for a moment.

Fast forward to December 2025. John Minadakis, the brains behind the machine known as Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, asked me to host an episode of “Meet the Birds” featuring Tyler Loop. I shared the story about Tucker with Loop and then asked him if he’s ever had one of those “ah-ha” nervous moments. Up until that time, he said that he had not.

I wonder what he was thinking on Sunday Night with 3 seconds remaining in a “win or go home” Week 18 game. If The Wide World of Sports was still part of ABC’s programming, Tyler would be featured in the “agony of defeat” part of the intro. It was that gut wrenching and a moment that had to be a crushing one in Loop’s life. What he does moving forward may define him. Count me among those who believe that he’ll bounce back. He won’t allow that moment to tell his story.

WIDE RIGHT

Tyler Loop’s field goal attempt is no good and the Steelers (+194) are headed to the playoffs as AFC North champions

@NFL #HereWeGo

pic.twitter.com/EUDJzbOlJa

— TSN EDGE (@TSN_Edge) January 5, 2026

But back to my interview with Tyler…

Loop is just 24 years old. He looks like he’s 16. Yet he possesses an uncommon poise for someone his age. While questioning him about growing up in Texas, his college years, his remembrances of the 2025 NFL Draft and other things, Loop’s answers were thoughtful and enriched with the maturity of a seasoned veteran.

He shared how in failure he leans on his faith which has been a guiding light in his life. He has a supportive family and friends and it’s obvious that Loop is a very secure young man. And that’s a good thing. He’ll need all of it as he fights through a long offseason during which the stain of that missed FGA will hang like an unwelcome cloud.

To his credit, Tyler faced the music. He could have ducked the media, but he chose to take it on headfirst for the benefit of his teammates who have supported him, and the fans of Baltimore who hoped for something more. He spent over 7 minutes addressing the media in a transparent and humble way. That took courage and in my mind will always define his character.

Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop spoke with the media after the team’s 26-24 loss to the Steelers pic.twitter.com/ro91JzcXKV

— Baltimore Banner Sports (@AllBannerSports) January 5, 2026

Faith, family, football…

That’s a winning combination that I’m confident will guide Loop through the topsy-turvy life of an NFL kicker.

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