Stephen Gostkowski Misses First PAT In Nine Years

New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski rarely misses a kick, whether it would be an extra point or field goal to help his team score points. Before yesterday’s game, Gostkowski had an NFL record of 523 consecutive PATs in his career since joining the Patriots in 2006. An error would occur that Gostkowski sure will not live down for the rest of his career.

During the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos yesterday, after a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Steven Jackson to bring the score 7-6 with 1:49 left in the first quarter, Gostkowski was set to kick to tie the game up. When the ball was snapped and placeholder Ryan Allen had the ball in its upright position, Gostkowski kicked the ball wide right of the goal posts and suffered his first missed PAT in nine years.

The last time Gostkowski missed a PAT was his last time missing one which occurred in his rookie in 2006 against the Tennessee Titans. “I just feel terrible,” the 4-time Pro Bowler said. “All day, these guys put their bodies and lives on the line, and for me to come out here and miss a kick, it’s a nightmare scenario. I can’t even explain how I feel right now. It’s just a complete shock and I let a lot of people down.”

Photo: DENVER, CO – JANUARY 24: Stephen Gostkowski #3 of the New England Patriots kicks a 38-yard field goal held by Ryan Allen #6 in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)