NFL fans may have wondered what was going on Sunday when a duck came flying onto the field at Raymond James Stadium during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ win over the Carolina Panthers.
The Ducks came on with about 5:30 left in the third quarter. When the Buccaneers blocked a Panthers punt, CBS broadcasts began focusing on the animal. JJ Russell returned the ball 23 yards to the end zone for a touchdown.
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December 29, 2024. Tampa, Florida, USA. Ducks on the field during the third quarter of the NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck Iman Images)
Buccaneers staff were able to get Duck to safety. Fans on social media went wild.
The score gave Tampa Bay a 41-14 lead. Jalen McMillan scored his second touchdown in the fourth quarter and the Buccaneers won 48-14.
The duck’s appearance became a hot topic on the internet and the NFL after the league adopted it as the new header photo for its X account. However, Macmillan was not at all satisfied with that. He said he saw a duck and didn’t like it.
“That duck landing on the field was one of the bad moments of the game,” he told WFLA-TV. “Ducks are not good luck. They’re weird. I hate ducks.”


December 29, 2024. Tampa, Florida, USA. The Ducks halted the game in the third quarter between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck Iman Images)
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Mr. McMillan didn’t say exactly why he dislikes the Ducks, but it may have something to do with his alma mater. The wide receiver attended the University of Washington and had to play against the Oregon Ducks during his career. Both schools are rivals.
Ducks are considered good luck in some cultures, even if McMillan isn’t a fan. The Ducks appeared on the punt block, which was fortunate for Tampa Bay, but not so fortunate for Carolina.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan plays against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
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The Buccaneers selected McMillan in the third round of the 2024 draft. The rookie has 32 catches for 387 yards and seven touchdowns this season. With just one more win, the Bucks can advance to the playoffs.
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