There are probably no words to describe the exact emotion Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass felt right after making a franchise record 61-yard game-winning field goal to secure a Week 9 victory against the Miami Dolphins. Putting his final weeks into perspective, this kick could prove career-saving.

There’s no position in the NFL that seems to have as much turnover as kicker, and Bass has almost seen the reality of that. Following its harsh release on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets earlier this year, the Bills signed Lucas Havrisik to their practice squad to ensure competition. Havrisik was released last week, a vote of confidence for Bass; after his game-winning goal on Sunday, Bass has most likely secured his role on this team until the end of the season.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott, who said he was concerned about Bass’ kicking earlier this seasonspoke about Bass’ game-winner during his post-game press conference, expressing immense pride in the veteran.

Related: Bills fans donate to cause supported by Tyler Bass after game-winning field goal

“What a story, man. What a story,” the head coach said of his kicker. “T-Bass hits a franchise record, and it doesn’t just happen. I want to make sure I give credit where it’s due, besides T-Bass, with Sam (Martin) and Reid (Ferguson ), and the guys in front blocking for him It was just a big kick for us.”

McDermott then spoke about the tribulation Bass has endured thus far, saying his Sunday work was a result of the 27-year-old tuning out the outside noise and remaining dedicated to his craft.

“I just think, overall, he’s a young man who’s been through this,” McDermott said. “The journey he made from week to week, the questions that were asked of him, of me, but in reality, just in terms of his duty on the ground, it’s natural, it’s the job in which we are. I think it’s a great example of mental toughness, I think it’s a great example of perseverance, resilience and for young kids, right here’s a player that was? damn under the microscope, and we brought a player here to compete with him mid-season, and he didn’t back down.

“I think it speaks volumes about who he is. This journey is going to continue, but it also speaks to our locker room, even in today’s game we missed the extra point, I think that was the case he was going to have to make a “

Bass’s 61-yard kick broke a Bills franchise record. The previous record was held by Steve Christie, who made a 59-yard field goal in 1993. The Bills are the penultimate team in the NFL to have a kicker who makes a field goal of at least 60 yards. The last team remaining is the Green Bay Packers, who have a franchise record 58 yards.

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