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Ravens Eliminated on 44-Yard Miss, With Priest Clip, Abuse and Charity Defining Fallout

A viral clip of a Saint Vincent priest’s routine field blessing fueled online frenzy over the miss.

Overview

  • Rookie Tyler Loop pushed a 44-yard field goal wide right as time expired, sealing the Steelers’ 26-24 win, the AFC North title and the Ravens’ playoff exit.
  • Loop said he simply mis-hit the kick, while John Harbaugh defended centering the ball as analysts questioned why Baltimore did not try to get closer.
  • Loop and fiancée Julia Otto were hit with abusive messages on Instagram, prompting her to set her account to private as teammates such as Derrick Henry voiced support.
  • Steelers fans responded by donating to Loop’s preferred John S. Mulholland Family Foundation, with many giving $26.24 in a nod to the final score.
  • Pregame video identified Father Maximilian Maxwell blessing the end zone as part of a long-standing Saint Vincent tradition, as fans debated an ‘announcer jinx’ and a possible missed leverage penalty that could have triggered a re-kick.