NFL fans may have wondered Sunday what was going on with the duck when the bird flew onto the field at Raymond James Stadium during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ victory over the Carolina Panthers.
The duck appeared with approximately 5:30 left in the third quarter. The CBS broadcast began focusing on the animal when the Buccaneers blocked the Panthers’ punt. JJ Russell returned the ball 23 yards to the end zone for the touchdown.
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December 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, United States; A duck lies on the field during an NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Images by Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn)
A Buccaneers staff member was able to get the duck to safety. Fans on social media went crazy.
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 duck’s appearance took the Internet and the NFL by storm when the league made the duck its new header photo on its X account. But McMillan wasn’t exactly sold on it. He said he saw the duck and didn’t like it.
“It was one of the bad moments of the game: that duck landing on the field,” he told WFLA-TV. “Ducks don’t bring good luck. They’re weird. I hate ducks.”
December 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, United States; A duck interrupted the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Images by Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn)
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McMillan didn’t say exactly why he hated the Ducks, but it might have something to do with his alma mater. The wide receiver attended Washington and had to face the Oregon Ducks in his career. The two schools are rivals.
Ducks are also considered good luck in some cultures, even if McMillan isn’t a fan. The duck appeared on the punt block and turned out to be good luck 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 on Sunday, December 29, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
The Buccaneers selected McMillan in the third round of the 2024 draft. The rookie has 32 receptions for 387 yards and seven touchdowns this season. One more win and the Bucs will be in the playoffs.
