If you paid any semblance of attention to the NBA in the 1990s, you know about Chicago Bulls legend and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan's "flu game" in the 1997 Finals. While we're not sure if he had the flu exactly, Tennessee Titans rookie kicker Brayden Narveson had to overcome being sick en route to a clutch performance in preseason Week 2.
Narveson nailed three field goals in the contest, with one from 59 yards out and another from 46 yards that propelled the Titans to victory in the closing seconds.
But as he revealed after the game, he almost didn't play against the Seattle Seahawks, as he was battling an illness that forced him to get IVs.
"I was sick this morning, so I didn't know if I was even going to be able to play in the game," Narveson said, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. "I missed meetings, and I wasn't feeling good. I was taking a lot of electrolytes and got two IVs, just trying to push through.
"It feels really, really good. This is probably the coolest (moment in my playing career)."
THE ROOKIE FROM 59! @20Brayden
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 18, 2024
📺: Watch #SEAvsTEN on @WKRN and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/3TVRXSsE9Z
When it comes to the 59-yarder, the Titans almost didn't attempt it, but Narveson was able to convince head coach Brian Callahan to let him give it a go.
“I was standing right next to him the whole time,” Narveson said. “He was like, ‘You got it?’ and I said, ‘Yeah, I got it,’ so he said, ‘Let’s kick it.'"
WALK-OFF WINNER @20Brayden
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 18, 2024
📺: Watch #SEAvsTEN on @WKRN and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/clVcg6d7Tx
“A 59-yarder is no small feat,” Callahan said. “That’s a grown man kick in the NFL, not easy to hit. That was great for him to put on tape for himself.”
While Narveson's impressive performance is unlikely to be enough to lead to the Titans keeping him over a proven veteran kicker like Nick Folk, there's a good chance teams around the NFL have taken notice, which could lead to an opportunity elsewhere.
If not, the Titans will have a promising young kicker on their practice squad who could be the heir-apparent to the soon-to-be 40-year-old Folk.