Most Green Bay Packers who are offensive skill position players get to do a Lambeau Leap after scoring the “required” touchdown. Sometimes, even defenders can get into the act with a pick-six or a fumble return.
But never a kicker, because kickers (except for Chester Marcol 39 years ago) never score touchdowns.
Veteran Packers kicker Mason Crosby broke that unofficial rule by nailing the game-winning field goal in the Packers’ 23-22 edging of Detroit Monday night, then sprinting to the south end zone stands.
“That was pretty fun…to do a Lambeau Leap after 13 years,” Crosby told WTMJ’s Greg Matzek during his show “The Power Lunch” on sister station ESPN Milwaukee Tuesday afternoon.
“I’ve always wanted to do a Lambeau Leap, but most of the time, I’m so locked in on the kick, it’s sort of swarm with the lineman and do that whole process.”
The idea of a leap after a field goal was spawned 364 days before Monday night’s win, after another walk-off field goal to beat the San Francisco 49ers that evening.
“Honestly, since the Monday Night Football game last year, we’ve been talking about doing a celebration together and do the Leap,” said Crosby. “At first, (snapper Hunter Bradley) was going to get his hands (in position) and boost me up with my feet.”
It didn’t exactly work out that way, as Crosby premeditatedly bolted to the wall along the southern side of Lambeau.
“He just shoved me up in the back and lifted me up into the stands,” said Crosby.
“It was awesome. He jokes because we play a lot of FIFA together. We kind of recreated a FIFA celebration and were able to incorporate the Lambeau Leap with it.”
Crosby mentioned celebrating with his lineman, but often the first person he shares his joy of accomplishment with is punter J.K. Scott. According to Crosby, Scott was a bit surprised at first.
“He came and joined the party after he realized what was going on. I saw a video where he was over to the side of me in the stands.”
There are hopefully bigger things for Crosby to celebrate right now than game-winning field goals. His wife Molly had a surgical procedure to help her battle with lung cancer.
“Recovery has gone as smooth as possible,” he told Matzek.
“No issues to report as of now. Molly will go and get her eight-week checkup and scan just to make sure everything is what they’re expecting, and that she’s free and clear from the tumor. We hopefully will be celebrating.”