After becoming national news, Cody Parkey shares how he has handled blocked kick

In the wildcard round of last weekend’s NFL playoffs, former Auburn K Cody Parkey suffered the dreaded double doink on what would have been a game-winning field goal. What looked like just a miss – off the crossbar and off the upright – has been changed to a block as an Eagles defender was able to get his hand on the ball.

Parkey was booed leaving the field and predictably drew the ire of Chicago Bears fans on talkshows and social media. Since he became a national story, the “Today” show decided to bring him on Friday to ask him about what happened and how he’s holding up.

“I’ll keep my head held high because football’s what I do. It’s not who I am.” -Cody Parkey on @TODAYshow. pic.twitter.com/4CAYg6X68Z

— Bears Talk (@NBCSBears) January 11, 2019

“I haven’t been on social media or anything like that.” –@ChicagoBears kicker @CParkey36 pic.twitter.com/x8TIgsf1Xo

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 11, 2019

Parkey says he hasn’t been on social media, but feels “worse than anybody” about missing the field goal. His decision to go on “Today,” be in the national spotlight and get a pat on the back for being a nice guy isn’t going over well on social media:

The ⁦@TODAYshow⁩ crowned Cody Parkey as the “MHP — Most Honorable Player.” They basically called him the apotheosis of class, dignity and humility. He seems like a nice guy, and he handled a tough situation well, but let’s not turn him into Nelson Mandela. pic.twitter.com/LqZeNG09kT

— Mike Lowe (@MikeLoweReports) January 11, 2019

#Bears K Cody Parkey is a decent man who handled the low point of his career with class. It’s still a bit strange that he did a Today show segment in which that was the thesis.

— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) January 11, 2019

Cody Parkey, get off my TV and stop indulging in your newfound national attentionhttps://t.co/baD83OTjp7 via @Shep670 pic.twitter.com/BQEj8ApEmM

— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) January 11, 2019

Can’t imagine the #Bears are too happy about Cody Parkey’s interview on national tv this morning.

I’ve got a lot of things I want to say but I’ll hold off for a while.

That said, this appears to have turned into a pity tour for 1 player & not about the team anymore.

— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) January 11, 2019

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.