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During the NFC Divisional round game between the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, Fox raised some eyebrows when they reported during the broadcast that Packers head coach Matt LaFleur “prays” when his kicker Anders Carlson lines one up.
“He basically said when he goes out there, I just pray,” Fox reporter Tom Rinaldi claimed that LaFleur said.
Following the game, LaFleur took issue with Fox reporting on his comments as he claims he said them “in jest” during his production meeting with the network.
“That was extremely disappointing that that’s how that message got portrayed,” LaFleur said to reporters after the game, which the Packers narrowly lost by a score of 24-21.
“I’ve been a part of production meetings ever since I became a coordinator, and I’ve never had an experience like that. But it is what it is. I talked to Anders about it, and I think anytime something’s out of your control — kind of saying it in jest, having fun with it — but it got portrayed that way and it’s a learning lesson for me.”
#Packers HC Matt LaFleur says the FOX broadcast relaying that he prays before every FG was "extremely disappointing." pic.twitter.com/pMXdw8YSvG
— Ari M (@AriMeirov) January 22, 2024
Unfortunately for Carlson, LaFleur’s comments, in jest or not, wound up being relevant as Carlson missed a 41-yard field goal in the 4th quarter while the Packers were winning 21-17. The Packers would then go on to lose by 3 points, making Carlson’s miss critical.
While the loss to the Niners will certainly sting, Green Bay and its fans will be undoubtedly excited about the future of the franchise as quarterback Jordan Love established himself as a legitimate starter and a potential star during his first season as the team’s starting quarterback.