Generally, you don’t want your punter or kicker to have to make a tackle, but when pressed into action, you’d like to see them at least pretend to show effort.
That was not the case for Bears punter Pat O’Donnell when the Vikings’ Marcus Sherels returned his punt 65 yards unscathed for a touchdown.
Former @GopherFootball DB Marcus Sherels went untouched on this punt return TD. https://t.co/jnHNDan5gJ (via @NFL)
— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) November 1, 2015
Social media quickly noted the lack of effort by O’Donnell.
#Bears punter Pat O'Donnell did a great job of avoiding #Vikings Marcus Sherels on his 65-yard return TD. #Vikings 7, #Bears 3.
— Bob LeGere (@BobLeGere) November 1, 2015
Looks like Robbie Gould has been teaching Patrick O'Donnell how to tackle. #Bears
— Rick Morrissey (@MorrisseyCST) November 1, 2015
#Bears punter Pat O'Donnell kindly escorts the #Vikings' punt returner into the endzone for a touchdown.
— TDN Fantasy (@TDNFantasy) November 1, 2015
Former Bears coach Dave Wannstedt also noticed O’Donnell’s feeble attempt and pointed it out on Comcast SportsNet’s “Inside the Huddle.”
When breaking down the return, Wannstedt said even if O’Donnell couldn’t make the tackle, he needed to “go over there and grab [Sherels] by the face mask. Kevin Butler was the best at that.”
