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Shutdown Corner

Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:13 pm EDT

Matt Bryant hits game-winner amidst tragedy

By Chris Chase

One day after burying his three-month old son, Matt Bryant kicked the game-winning field goal for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After the kick sailed through, giving the Bucs a 23-21 lead over Green Bay, Bryant blew a kiss skyward with tears in his eyes. Holder Josh Bidwell embraced Bryant in a bear hug after the kick, and the rest of Bryant's Buc teammates joined in a subdued celebration too.

Bryant's son, Tryson, unexpectedly died Wednesday morning. Jon Gruden told the press that afternoon that Tryson "just didn't wake up."

Watching Bryant attempt the kick today was a truly gut-wrenching scene. I was watching the game with three friends, none of whom could care less about the outcome of the Bucs/Packers tilt, but we all celebrated when Bryant hit the kick.

That Bryant was even playing today is amazing. The NFL has no roster exemptions for bereavement, meaning that if Bryant didn't play, the Bucs would have had to have cut another play in order to sign a replacement. It's a terrible rule, especially considering that teams can make roster exemptions for suspended players. Hopefully, Bryant's tragedy will force the NFL to reconsider.

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64 Comments

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  1. Jesse
    1. Posted by Jesse Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    I've been where Matt is and what he did today is absolutely amazing. Matt Bryant is my hero.
  2. Randy
    2. Posted by Randy Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:29 pm EDT

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    Matt my family is very sorry for your lost. We lost our first son 29 minutes after he was born, he died in my arms. I still think about my son everyday. Our prayers goes out to your family
  3. Trever oh yeah!
    3. Posted by Trever oh yeah! Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:19 pm EDT

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    My son is three months old yesterday,
    God be with you and your family,
    I am so sorry,Rest in peace.
  4. ChadM
    4. Posted by ChadM Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:15 pm EDT

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    God bless Matt and his family. Our prayers go out to the Bryants.
  5. Wanda G
    5. Posted by Wanda G Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:29 pm EDT

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    He is truly a hero! God was with him today. That is a stupid rule and should have been changed in contract negotiations decades ago. How can management and the union even look people in the eye with a harsh rule like that. Wanda G.
  6. Kim
    6. Posted by Kim Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm EDT

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    What a tragedy. That's a pain that no parent should have to feel. God Bless the Bryant Family. And I hope the NFL sees the need to change this horrible rule!
  7. steve b
    7. Posted by steve b Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    god bless you and your family Matt my thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife
  8. Bucs4Life
    8. Posted by Bucs4Life Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    God bless you and your family Matt.Being a diehard Bucs fan,I wouldn't have blamed you a bit had you not played the game.Family always comes first,and especially when you have to bury one of them.And the NFL needs to get real.If the league can make exceptions for teams when their players act like infants,than they can definitely make exceptions when one of their players needs to bury HIS infant.
  9. Patriots R Cheaters
    9. Posted by Patriots R Cheaters Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:54 pm EDT

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    If it weren't for Matt....Brian might not have been starting the next game.
  10. Bizkit
    10. Posted by Bizkit Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

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    My husband and I lost our daughter at birth 9 weeks ago tomorrow. I don't know how he was able to do it, he truly had God with him today. My prayers are with him and his wife. Losing a baby is the worst thing that you can possibly go through, and it is something you will never truly get over. Just breathe...and take it one hour at a time.
  11. ery_chen
    11. Posted by ery_chen Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    that must of been hard. god bless matt and his family
  12. $so fresh so clean$
    12. Posted by $so fresh so clean$ Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    Matt Bryant is the man. To go through what he has, show up, and basically beat GB. He has my respect. Bless his family.
  13. Hitman
    13. Posted by Hitman Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    The NFL takes care of its criminals but has nothing for bereavement. What a joke!
  14. ED
    14. Posted by ED Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    Any problems which i might have had in my life have been reduced to the category of insignificant. I am truly humbled by your courage. God bless you and your family.
  15. Bill D
    15. Posted by Bill D Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

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    I have two boys and if I lost one of them, I don't know if I could mentally function, let alone physically, and in such a public situation. Matt, even though I am a die hard Packers fan, I am glad you made that kick today, and I respect your courage and strength.
    I echo the sentiments of others here in that God was and is with you. You and your family are in my prayers and heart at this time of loss.
  16. gamesta10
    16. Posted by gamesta10 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:05 pm EDT

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    i 2 echo the sentiments of others here in that God was and is with you. You and your family are in my prayers and heart at this time of loss.may God be with u
  17. Rob V
    17. Posted by Rob V Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    Just as most of us have lost loved ones - I can't imagine how tough it would be to lose a child. As I was holding my 8 month old son, I began to cry when I saw Matt blow a kiss to Tryson. You are defintely the epitomy of a Team Player and I am so proud to be a Bucs fan! God Bless you and your family.
  18. Earth Angel
    18. Posted by Earth Angel Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    Matt,
    We are so sorry for your loss. May God be with you and your family during this difficult time.
    Sincerely,
    Michael, Rebecca, Allie, Mckenna, and Delaney
  19. michael
    19. Posted by michael Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:11 pm EDT

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    Matt, with all the love and respect in the world . god bless you man .Not only for your strength as a person , as a parent and as a man. My heart goes out to you .i know everything you do from this day forward you do , not only
    for yourself but for your son. he is watching you and he is proud of you in every way.
  20. Joe
    20. Posted by Joe Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    Matt, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
  21. Richard B
    21. Posted by Richard B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    Matt, God Bless You.
  22. Terry H
    22. Posted by Terry H Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:01 pm EDT

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    May GOD bless you and your family to stay strong and prayerful during this time of bereavement. Just know that people all over the world are praying for your family. Find your own personal way to work through this tragedy and cling to each other for support.
  23. Renee C
    23. Posted by Renee C Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:36 pm EDT

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    To Mat Bryant and his wife, my heart and prayers are with you and your family. God bless you all. To the NFL I say,, shame on you.. We know how hard you try to keep negative publicity to a minium, well you are going to tke a labasting on this one. The sad thing is --as horrile as this is, you won't lose one dollar. Had Matt Bryant taken the day off to be with his wife, who I am sure needs his undying support and comfort, as he needs hers at this time , you wouldn't have loss one dollar If there is any humanity left in you, you should lose some sleep. Since it always come down to dolars, in the end I doubt seriously if you will. SHAME ON YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!
  24. iZo
    24. Posted by iZo Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:39 pm EDT

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    I couldn't help myself when Matt hit the game winning FG. I bursted out in tears as i seen Matt do the same. What an emotional day it must have been for the Bryants. I can't imagine doing what he did, and not to mention with the calmness and poise he had doring the game. Those are the kind of things that make you appreciate the good things you have in this world. My heart goes out to Matt and the Bryant Family.
    ALOHA from HAWAII
  25. katrinaS
    25. Posted by katrinaS Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Your strength is admirable.

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Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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