The Washington Football Team has had a bizarre run at the kicker position so far in 2021.
That may have had fans confused as to who would be kicking the football Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The job fell to Brian Johnson, a 22-year-old who became the team’s fourth kicker of the season.
Johnson is a hero Monday because of the game-winning kick he drilled to take down the Raiders and get Washington to 6-6.
Teammate Jonathan Allen revealed just how unlikely of a hero Johnson is after just showing up.
DT Jonathan Allen on Brian Johnson’s game-winning field goal attempt: “Hell yeah, I was nervous. I’d never seen him kick before. I didn’t even know his name.”
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) December 6, 2021
This is hilarious to consider.
The game came down to a Johnson kick and Allen, along with plenty others, did not even know his name.
An Unlikely Hero
Johnson showing up and being put in a big spot is a great example of the life of an NFL kicker.
Unless you are Justin Tucker, it is likely to bounce around from job to job, waiting for the next big moment.
Washington is Johnson’s third team already this season after going undrafted out of Virginia Tech.
Just think about how wild of a scenario this was.
Quarterback Taylor Heinicke battled to get the ball close enough for a game-winning kick.
He then heads to the sideline to see a rookie, who he has never met before, try to win the game to put the team in playoff position.
Taylor Heinicke on kicker Brian Johnson: "Not many people on the team really knew his name before today."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 6, 2021
If Johnson missed, he may have been cut and the team would have wondered why he was brought to town in the first place.
Now he is a key piece in the story of the 2021 Washington Football Team as they have won four games in a row.
Next up is a battle against the Dallas Cowboys.
If Johnson plays a big role in another win, he won’t have to keep looking for jobs.
NEXT: Is Ryan Fitzpatrick's NFL Career Over?
