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What Pepper remembers most about Gould’s mentorship on 49ers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA — In announcing his retirement this week, former 49ers kicker Robbie Gould pointed to one moment from his career that stood out.
On Jan. 22, 2022, on a frigid night in Green Bay, the 49ers moved into position for a 45-yard field goal attempt on the final play of regulation against the Packers.
Looking back on it, 49ers long-snapper Taybor Pepper recalls that nothing stood out about the moments before the kick.
And that quality is what he remembers most about working with Gould.
“His daily commitment was to do everything possible he could to put the team in the best situation,” Pepper told NBC Sports Bay Area.
“The best thing about him was that he approached everything the same way. It was that level of consistency that allowed him to have an 18-year career.”
Gould wrote about that moment at Lambeau Field in a post at The Players’ Tribune to announce his retirement:
“Snow was falling, and the ground was soft. It wasn’t ideal, but none of that mattered; as a kicker, it was one of those moments I lived for every time I stepped on the field. And then….
“We nailed it right down the middle.
“Just like that, the game was over.”
The kick ended the season for Aaron Rodgers and the top-seeded Packers, while the 49ers moved on to the NFC Championship Game against the eventual Super Bowl-champion Los Angeles Rams.
Gould played his first 11 seasons with the Chicago Bears. His wife and three young boys mostly remained in the Midwest while he played for the 49ers for six seasons.
“I knew it was hard for him to be away from family,” Pepper said. “But he was still able to put so much detail into football while also being the best dad he could be halfway across the country.”
Gould made 161 of 184 field-goal attempts in the regular season for a franchise-best 87.5 percent success rate. The 49ers selected Jake Moody in the third round of the 2023…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/pepper-remembers-most-goulds-mentorship-173739287.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2023-12-09 17:37:39
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