To get to the NFL, players have to have a lot of faith in themselves. But it seems no one believes in himself more than Browns rookie kicker Cade York, who really wanted to attempt a field goal of more than 65 yards against the Bengals before the half.
After Deshaun Watson clocked a ball at midfield with three seconds left in the half, the Browns threw an incompletion on a Hail Mary to end the half. That was much to the chagrin of York, whom the broadcast showed frustrated with the call to not let him take the kick.
York, an LSU product, was 20 of 26 on the year at the time with a long of 58 yards. He was 1-for-1 on Sunday in the first half, having made a 26-yarder earlier in the game.
We should all aspire to have York's confidence.
Cade York really wanted to try a 67 yard field goal pic.twitter.com/QQ0nwc6b9j
— alex (@highlghtheaven) December 11, 2022
MORE: Get the latest injury updates on Steelers QB Kenny Pickett
NFL kickers are, of course, arguably better now than they've ever been; 60 yards has become the new 50, but it's still a rarity. Kickers are four of five from 60 yards or more this year, with Wil Lutz of the Saints being the only kicker to attempt multiple 60-plus-yarders.
York is yet to attempt his first kick of 60 or more, but he is four of six from 50-plus so far this season.
In a game where points were at a premium for the Browns, there's a good argument the Hail Mary was a higher-percentage play for Cleveland heading into the half. But it's good for Kevin Stefanski to know he has a kicker who's always good to go. It's somewhat perfect it happened with Evan McPherson, another young kicker with unassailable confidence, on the other sideline.
