> At a Glance
> – Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal that would have sent Baltimore to the playoffs
> – Angry fans flooded his Instagram with expletives and demands he “get a new job”
> – The 24-year-old rookie says he’s leaning on faith: “God’s got my back even when stuff sucks”
> – Why it matters: The 26-24 loss to Pittsburgh ended the Ravens’ season and exposed the dark side of sports fandom
The Baltimore Ravens’ playoff hopes died on the foot of Tyler Loop when his final-play 44-yard attempt sailed wide, igniting a torrent of online hate aimed at the first-year kicker.
The Miss That Ended a Season
With Sunday’s 26-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore’s postseason run ended in real time. Loop’s kick, had it been good, would have reversed the scoreboard and continued the Ravens’ January push.
Instead, the rookie from Arizona walked off the M&T Bank Stadium turf under the consoling arm of head coach John Harbaugh, who kept an arm wrapped around Loop as they disappeared into the tunnel.
Social Media Turns Toxic
Within minutes of the final whistle, Loop’s Instagram comment section became a battleground:
- One user spammed, “Folks ain’t gone keep being patient with you,” racking up hundreds of likes each time
- Multiple commenters told Loop to find a “new job,” many posting on his engagement announcement with fiancée Julia Otto
- Expletive-laden messages wished him ill, though a few fans interjected sympathy for the 24-year-old
Faith in the Locker Room
Addressing reporters amid the wreckage, Loop said he will rely on his beliefs to process the moment.
> “Faith is a big part of my life. Right now, I’m reminding myself that God’s got my back even when stuff sucks.”
Quarterback Lamar Jackson admitted he “was kind of livid when he kicked the ball out of bounds,” but quickly reassured Loop: “You know I’m just hyped based on emotions of the game right now.”
Jackson added, “He’s a rookie. It’s all good. Just leave it in the past, man.”
Key Takeaways
- The Steelers advance; the Ravens head home after a single missed kick
- Online harassment targeted Loop’s personal life, not just his performance
- Teammates, including Jackson, publicly supported the young kicker
- Loop plans to cope through his faith and the support of the locker room
Baltimore’s season ends in heartbreak, but the rookie kicker vows to keep believing-in himself and something bigger than football.
