Detroit Lions’ Jake Bates Gains Fame for Sensational Stretching Display on MNF
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates turned into a viral phenomenon during his team’s Monday Night Football matchup against the San Francisco 49ers — and it had nothing to do with scoring kicks.
Bates, at 25, was spotted engaging in an unusual stretching technique to alleviate an injury as the fourth quarter unfolded on December 30 at San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium, which sideline reporter Lisa Salters endeavored to clarify.
“He hasn’t received any treatment from the medical staff, but he was on his left hip with a softball. You might have done that at home when you’ve had tightness somewhere. That’s what it seemed like he was doing,” shared Salters, 58.
The broadcast showed Bates lying on his side, tongue out, which caused laughter from commentators Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.
When Salters stated that Bates was “feeling fine,” Buck quipped, “That explains the video.”
Predictably, the video quickly gained traction on social media. Many likened Bates’ stance to Kate Winslet in Titanic, where she implored Leonardo DiCaprio to “draw me like one of your French girls.”
“I don’t know what ESPN caught Jake Bates doing, but I don’t ever want to witness that again,” one viewer commented via X. Another added, “Jake Bates ain’t ever gonna use social media again after seeing all this lmao.”
Not only did Bates become a meme sensation, but he also delivered a remarkable kicking performance on Monday night.
Bates established a new franchise single-season record for points, scoring 135, surpassing the previous benchmark held by Lions kicker Jason Hanson in 2012.
He successfully made two field goals on Monday, including an impressive 57-yarder, aiding the Lions in their 40-34 victory over the 49ers. With this win, Detroit improved their record to 14-2 and is set to host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, January 5, as they vie for the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
This season, Bates has emerged as a folk hero for the Lions. The previous season, he was kicking for the Detroit Panthers in the United Football League before signing with the Lions in June.
After making a game-winning 52-yard field goal in the Lions’ come-from-behind win against the Houston Texans on November 10, Bates expressed that the whole experience felt “too good to be true.”
“It almost feels too scripted,” he confided to reporters.
Following the Texans’ win, Bates was celebrated by his Lions teammates, as the team aims to capture their first Super Bowl championship.
“I’ve never been lifted like that,” Bates remarked. “It was amazing to see the sidelines come to embrace me; that was a significant moment.”
