Chicago Bears: 3 defining moments from win over Vikings

Matt Nagy shows unwavering faith in Cody Parkey

Just seven short days before squaring off in the season’s biggest matchup, the Bears beat the Detroit Lions — and they beat them handedly. The one aspect of the game that received most of the attention afterwards, though, was on special teams.

Specifically, kicker Cody Parkey had done something, well… Quite impressive. In all reality, it was an abysmal performance by Parkey. Bouncing four kicks (two PAT’s and two field goals) off the uprights was something you would never have thought possible.

It was hilarious, actually.

Then, came the lashing out from fans and media. The Bears should have cut Parkey immediately, right?

Wrong. Coach Nagy vehemently backed his kicker and made it known that Parkey wasn’t going anywhere.

Sunday night, Parkey hit his first field goal right down the middle. Late in the game, then, the young kicker had an opportunity to put the game pretty far out of reach and essentially ice it altogether for the Bears.

Then, this happened:

It was a moment that football fans everywhere had to appreciate. Parkey nailed the field goal. Soldier Field roared. His teammates were ecstatic.

Parkey was the hero.

The best part, though, was that Nagy had the utmost confidence in his kicker. It was unwavering. It was one of the best examples of faith in a player, forgiveness, excellent coaching and leadership, and most of all — redemption.