Bears Kicker Robbie Gould Owns His Misses: 'I Feel Terrible'
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- So many times before, Bears kicker Robbie Gould had come through in the clutch.
Gould has enjoyed a great career in Chicago with many big moments, countless important field goals. So when he lined up for a 36-yarder to win the game Sunday against the 49ers, it seemed like a sure thing. Gould missed it.
The Bears had yet another one of those losses they seemed so close to winning, falling 26-20 in overtime to the 49ers. Naturally, a heavy burden fell on the shoulders -- and right leg -- of the man who could've directly won it late in regulation before pulling the kick left.
"I feel terrible," Gould said after the loss. "I have a job to do, and I didn't do that today."
Adding to Gould's guilt was the fact he missed a 40-yard field goal earlier in the game. He hit from 40 and 51 in the first quarter but faltered when the game was on the line. Following the miss at the end of regulation, the 49ers pulled through on a 71-yard touchdown pass from Blaine Gabbert to Torrey Smith.
Gould was the first Bears player waiting in the locker room, taking ownership of his misses.
"I just got quick on the last two in the second half," Gould said. "I let my teammates down."
Gould's teammates were quick to take the blame, too. The Bears had eight penalties for 72 yards, including one on a trick punt return for a touchdown by Bryce Callahan, and blew multiple scoring opportunities. They let the 49ers score with 1:42 left on a 44-yard run from Gabbert, then allowed him to find Smith open down the field for the winner.
The Bears believed it was a team loss -- not for Gould to own. Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee was among those quick to the kicker's side after the miss.
"I told him on the sidelines, 'Hey, man, you're our brother -- we got your back,'" McPhee said. "It's football, man.
"Nobody is going to be perfect. I understand he's going to be (remembered as) a legendary kicker one day. But it's football. That's our brother. We got his back and we're going to fight through this together."
Added running back Jeremy Langford: "You learn as a football player, it's not that one play that loses the game."
On his 34th birthday on Sunday, Gould took the blame for a loss and a performance that may go down as the worst of his professional career.
"There's no excuse for it," Gould said. "I just didn't get it done today."
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.