Figures from across the sporting world are showing support for Chicago kicker Cody Parkey after his devastating 'double-doink' knocked the Bears out of the playoffs
- The Bears lost in heartbreaking fashion on Sunday, with kicker Cody Parkey's last-second kick bouncing off two posts before missing, eliminating Chicago from the playoffs.
- After the game, Parkey faced the media with honesty and grace, saying that he felt terrible about the miss, but had to own it.
- Parkey's response and candor with the media were met with compliments and messages of encouragement from other athletes across sports, including Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade.
The final game of Wild Card weekend ended in heartbreak for the Chicago Bears, who lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 16-15 after kicker Cody Parkey's last-second field goal attempt hit off the upright and the crossbar in the "double doink" heard 'round the football world.
Boos rained down on Parkey as he trotted off the field, with Bears fans clearly blaming him for the fact that Chicago would not be moving forward in the postseason.
But after the game, rather than shy away from the cameras, Parkey addressed the media openly.
"I feel terrible," Parkey said. "I let the team down. That's on me. I have to own it. I have to be a man. Unfortunately, that's the way it went today."
How Parkey handled the moment earned him some fans from around the sporting world, with fellow athletes and members of the media complimenting his candor and grace.
Dwyane Wade tweeted out a message of support.
And Kobe Bryant encouraged Parkey to "grind harder and double down" heading into next season.
Parkey's teammates were there to pick him up, with guard Kyle Long noting that the Bears would have never been in a position to win the game had it not been for his three earlier made field goals.
Eagles kicker Jake Elliott, who ran out to console Parkey on the field moments after the miss, also tweeted out a message of support for his fellow tradesman.
Defensive end Chris Long was quick to point out that the boos aimed at Parkey were somewhat undeserved, as the kick had been tipped by at the line by Eagles defensive tackle Treyvon Hester.
Members of the media were also complimentary of how Parkey handled himself through the difficult situation.
It's as heartbreaking an outcome as you can imagine for a kicker, but Parkey got through the stretch about as well as any athlete could, given the circumstances.
Chicagoans will likely feel burnt by Parkey for some time, but if he gets the chance to come back and kick for the Bears again next season, there's little doubt that he'll have more than a few new fans pulling for him.
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