In an electrifying display at NRG Stadium, Dare Ogunbowale stepped up in an unexpected role for the Houston Texans, clinching a pivotal 29-yard field goal that contributed to a nail-biting 39-37 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With primary kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn sidelined due to a quad injury, Ogunbowale demonstrated his versatile athletic prowess by assuming kickoff duties—his decisive kickoff at the game’s eleventh hour pinned the Buccaneers to a challenging start, facilitating a triumph for the Texans as the clock wound down.
According to NBC Sports’ Peter King, Dare Ogunbowale distinguished himself as an exceptional special teams player for the week. This event marked a significant chapter in NFL annals, with Ogunbowale earning the distinction of being the first non-kicker to successfully score a field goal during a regular-season game in almost twenty years. Texans’ head coach, DeMeco Ryans, lauded Ogunbowale’s pivotal performance, underscoring the running back’s substantial influence on the final outcome of the game.
Ogunbowale’s remarkable feat echoes a similar preseason incident from 2021 when safety Justin Reid took on the kicking responsibilities against the Buccaneers, stepping in for an injured Fairbairn. As Ogunbowale’s versatility shines, it not only secures a win but also etches his name in the annals of Texans’ lore for his unique contribution to the game.