After hitting four uprights, Bears kicker Cody Parkey will practice kicks at Soldier Field
After a uniquely miserable weekend in which he hit four uprights, Chicago Bears kicker Cody Parkey is practicing again at Soldier Field.
Parkey doinked four separate kicks off the uprights, two extra points and two field goals, a feat so unthinkable that Bears fans should have been cheering it. (Instead, they booed.) Parkey didn’t get the boot (sorry); he’s still with the team and still practicing. And, in advance of this weekend’s night game at home against the Vikings, he’s heading back to Soldier Field to practice under game conditions.
“I guess just check all the boxes you can, right?” Parkey said at practice Wednesday. “I mean, it can’t hurt.”
Soldier Field’s challenging winds
The winds at Soldier Field, located right on Lake Michigan, are unpredictable under the best of circumstances. Former Bears kickers Kevin Butler and Robbie Gould were regulars at the field, a 35-mile drive from the Bears’ practice facilities.
“As a kicker, this is my fifth season doing this, I’ve had highs, I’ve had lows,” Parkey said. “So unfortunately it comes with the territory sometimes. I don’t get down on myself. I know I’m a great kicker. I’m just going to go out there Sunday and try my best.”
The misses dropped Parkey’s season average to 72.2, well below his career average of 84 percent. He’s hit 13 of 18 field goal attempts and 30 of 32 extra-point attempts. He signed a four-year, $15 million deal with Chicago last year that includes $9 million in guarantees.
Parkey’s live audience
Parkey’s practice at Soldier field on Wednesday night didn’t go unnoticed, either. WGN and ABC 7 in Chicago actually sent helicopters to provide live coverage of his practice.
Confirmed by @WGNNews: Cody Parkey is practicing at Soldier Field. He just made a field goal. https://t.co/KNHdmHs73z pic.twitter.com/SBj8zRTuQw
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) November 15, 2018
LIVE NOW ON WGN.
THIS CITY IS THE DUMBEST AND I LOVE IT. pic.twitter.com/bKVcvLsKXQ
— Amanda Kaschube (@amandakaschube) November 15, 2018
It seems that, at least for a little bit, Parkey’s solo practice at Soldier Field was the biggest sporting event in Chicago on Wednesday night.
Only time will tell to see if it pays off.
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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.
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