Skip to content

Patriots' Gostkowski reflects on missed extra point during loss to Broncos

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty

New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski is moving on from the worst moment of his career nearly a month after botching an extra point during the AFC Championship Game.

Gostkowski, known for his nearly automatic conversion rate, missed an extra-point attempt after Steven Jackson scored a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter. It changed New England's strategy, and Denver advanced to the Super Bowl with a 20-18 win.

After some time to reflect, Gostkowski opened up about his thought process Tuesday to ESPN's Mike Reiss:

I just think the way the game ended, at the end of the game, it kind of hit me, and you only have 10 minutes to think about what to say (to the media). I'm the kind of person that would rather take more accountability than none at all. That's just the way I was raised. When things don't go your way, you can either sulk (and) make excuses or take accountability, and that's how I feel I represent myself, my family and teammates in a positive way, even when things don't go my way. That's what I thought about in those 10 little minutes. It hurt because I care and I want to win. But I don't hold my head low. I work hard, I've done a good job, and things don't always go your way. I'm not going to make excuses. I just felt really bad that the season came to an end.

One of the premier kickers of his generation, Gostkowski ought to forget about the mistake as the Patriots stride into the 2016 season hoping to usurp the Super Bowl champion Broncos.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox