Not only did Andre Szmyt kick the Cleveland Browns to their first win of the season, but the rookie placekicker honored his late mother in the process.
The Browns kicker shared his human side after blasting home a 55-yard, game-winning field goal in their stunning, 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday.
The Browns (1-2) unseated the previously unbeaten Packers while rallying from a 10-point, fourth-quarter hole. Szmyt went 2 for 2 on field goals, including the game-winning kick, and also made an extra point in the fourth quarter.
What Did Andre Szmyt Say About Making The Game-Winning Field Goal vs Green Bay?
Szmyt, the rookie who won the job in the preseason, had missed a potential game-winning kick in Week 1 against the rival Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland’s 17-16 loss at home.
Yet, when he lined up to kick the potential winning field goal against the Packers on Sunday, Szmyt’s thoughts weren’t on that. They were on his mother Lala, who passed away July 10 at age 66 due to a brain aneurysm.
“I know she’s there with me, giving me strength and support,” Szmyt said. “When I make these kicks, the first thing I think about is her and how she’d love to be here.
“I do it for her. She was like my biggest fan.”
Szmyt’s father and sister were in attendance and got to see him improve to 4 for 5 on field goals and 4 for 5 on extra points as a pro — he also missed an extra point in Cleveland’s opener against the Bengals.
“Tough games like Week 1, it feels like everything is crashing down,” Szmyt said. “That’s something I have to tell myself, like in Week 1: there’s a lot more going on in life than kicking in stuff. Obviously, I put so much into my craft, and this is my life. This is my everything. But at the end of the day, I still have to take it with a grain of salt.
But Szmyt also missed having his mom around to see him make game-winning kicks in the NFL.
“Wins like this, and hitting game-winners, it feels obviously unbelievable,” Szmyt said. “It’d be even sweeter if she was here. I know she’s watching, and she’s there.”
What Did The Browns Say About Andre Szmyt’s Game-Winning Kick?
The kicker position is perhaps the most maligned role in the NFL by coaches and teammates.
Yet, the Browns lauded their kicker for delivering in the clutch.
“[Szmyt] came through at the end,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I’m really proud of that young man. I’m happy for that young man. He’s been through a lot, and he came through.”
Myles Garrett, the heart of Cleveland’s defense who helped the Browns defense keep the high-octane Packers to just 10 points, spoke of his confidence in Szmyt despite his struggles. Garrett could see Szmyt’s belief win out — even after his shake performance at home against Cincinnati.
“He knows who he is,” Garrett said. “One moment doesn’t define you. He was waiting for this opportunity to come again, and we knew he was ready.
“He was excited to get the opportunity when the game was on the line again, and he made the most of it. We couldn’t be prouder of him.”
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