What started as a mistake turned into NFL magic.

In one of the wildest endings the league has seen in years, rookie kicker Tyler “Chip” Daniels of the Minnesota Vikings accidentally nailed a game-winning field goal—off a double-bounce ricochet—that left fans, players, and referees speechless. The unlikely moment has now exploded across social media, drawing comparisons to viral moments from Odell Beckham Jr.’s iconic one-handed catch and the “Butt Fumble.”

The Kick Heard ‘Round the Internet

With the game tied and two seconds on the clock, Daniels lined up for a 47-yard field goal against the Detroit Lions. What happened next defied physics—and logic.

“I slipped. I completely lost my plant foot,” Daniels admitted in a post-game interview. “I thought I blew it. But somehow, the ball hit the left upright, bounced off the crossbar, then ricocheted off the helmet of a Lions defender… and still made it through.”

The stadium erupted. Commentators lost their minds. And fans started calling it the “Pinball Kick.”

NFL Responds

While the kick technically counted under NFL rules, officials confirmed that no one had ever seen anything like it. The NFL’s official X (formerly Twitter) account posted the slow-mo replay with the caption:

“What did we just witness? 🤯 #PinballKick”

The clip has since been viewed over 58 million times in 24 hours.

The Meme Machine Begins

Social media turned Daniels into an overnight sensation. Memes flooded the internet:

• “When life bounces you around, be like Chip—still score.”
• “Daniels didn’t miss. He just took the scenic route.”
• A TikTok edit syncing the kick with “Bohemian Rhapsody” hit 12 million likes in 6 hours.

From Practice Squad to Primetime

Just three weeks ago, Daniels was on the Vikings’ practice squad. Now, fans are petitioning for him to start full-time—and appear on The Tonight Show. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said:

“He may not know how he did it, but he did it. That’s a Viking now.”

The NFL’s Unlikely New Star

Daniels’ underdog story, clumsy charm, and miracle moment have turned him into an unexpected face of the NFL this season.

As one Reddit user put it:

“This man just went from nobody to legend with one messed-up kick. I love football.”

And that, folks, is the beauty of the game.