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Evan McPherson did not make many mistakes in 2021. The newcomer to Bengals scored 28 of 33 flights and 46 of 48 extra points in the regular season.
He tied Adam Vinatieri for most goals scored (14) in a postseason, making 14 of 14 with consecutive, winning goals of the game to send the Bengals to the Super Bowl.
But the Bengals weren’t exactly thrilled that the cameras caught McPherson sitting on the team’s bench watching the show at halftime instead of in the locker room with his teammates.
“It’s a painful subject,” said Special Team Coordinator Darin Simmons through TheAthletic.com’s Jay Morrison. “It’s a really painful topic.”
Long sniper Clark Harris also stayed on the field to catch the performances of Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem et al. However, Harris was smart enough to hide from the cameras.
The Bengals may not overcome the result of the Super Bowl LVI, but it is a sure bet that they will quickly forgive McPherson for his violation at halftime. His 42 combined goals from the 2021 flight set a team record, surpassing Mike Newgent’s 34 in 2011.
McPherson had five winners in the game, including two in the playoffs, and his 12 goals from 50+ yards improved on the team’s previous three-season record of three and has already set the mark in the franchise’s career.