Packers had plane ready if rookie punter's wife went into labor
JK Scott found himself at the crossroads of two major life moments, so the Green Bay Packers stepped in to ensure their rookie kicker could accommodate both if it came to it.
The Packers traveled to Foxborough, Massachusetts, for a Sunday night primetime matchup against the New England Patriots. This while Scott’s wife, Sydney, was experiencing contractions mere days away from her due date of Nov. 14.
The Packers put a plane in place at a nearby airport, according to the team’s website, to get Scott the 1,200 miles back to the west side of the Great Lakes if Sydney did go into labor with the couple’s first child.
General manager Brian Gutekunst used an open spot on the 53-man roster to sign former Los Angeles Chargers punter Drew Kaser before the Saturday final run-through. At the time it was a move that baffled those following the transaction wire since Scott didn’t appear to be injured.
The Packers had room after trading Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Ty Montgomery at the trade deadline Thursday. Kaser got the call Friday morning from the Packers and praised the organization for working to get Scott home if needed.
It was even more appreciated by the 23-year-old Scott.
“It was awesome,” Scott told Packers.com reporter Wes Hodkiewicz. “Brian Gutekunst, he pulled me aside and was talking to me, and really caring about me with this baby and my wife. It was cool they would do that for me. Everything was ready for me if the baby came.”
In the end, the plane wasn’t needed. Baby Scott didn’t arrive over the weekend with dad away, so Scott continued his work and punted five times for a net average 42.0 yards in a 31-17 loss.
Scott said he and Sydney plan to induce this week before the Packers (3-4-1) host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
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