After tipping Cody Parkey's field goal attempt in the final seconds of last Sunday's win over the Chicago Bears, defensive tackle Treyvon Hester screamed in disgust.
"I felt like I didn't get enough of it cause when I looked back it was still on the right path," Hester said.
He thought the Eagles' season was over. He never saw the ball bounce off the upright then the crossbar before falling into the end zone.
"When I turned back around, I just heard the reaction of the crowd and the team just running out there," Hester said. "It was like a surprise. I couldn't believe that it really happened."
In the hoopla surrounding Hester's historic play, it was the first field goal block in a playoff game in franchise history, a fake Twitter account was created and accrued over 2,500 followers. An unlikely hero, Hester helped the Eagles advance to Sunday's NFC Divisional Round showdown with the Saints.
"Everybody was happy that I touched it. That's all that matters. We won and we're getting ready for New Orleans. That's what we're doing," Hester said. "At the end of the day, it's just another play. I have to go back out there and get ready for this week, get ready for New Orleans and get this W."
Hester is another player who was let go by the Raiders only to help another team in 2018. The Cowboys have wide receiver Amari Cooper. The Bears have linebacker/edge rusher Khalil Mack. The Eagles have Hester.
A seventh-round pick of Oakland in 2017, Hester played in 14 games (one start) and accumulated 21 tackles, four quarterback hits, and a forced fumble in 346 snaps. He was signed to the Eagles' practice squad after he was waived by Oakland following the 2018 preseason. Hester was promoted to the active roster on October 2 and posted 20 tackles and his first career sack in 12 games (226 snaps).
Hester's ability to get off the snap quickly has allowed him to be a valuable reserve on this veteran-laden defensive line.
"Philadelphia proved me right. They allowed me to show everybody what I can do," Hester said. "They gave me time to adapt to the playing field and to learn the system and go out there and play to the best of my abilities. I owe them everything."
Hester repaid the favor with his block on Sunday. He credited Haloti Ngata with getting the push that allowed him enough space to get in position to raise his arm and alter the trajectory of the ball just enough. The field goal block is in the past. He returns to New Orleans where he had a career-high six tackles in the Week 11 matchup.
"It's definitely a big confidence booster. It's something that you can put on the back of your shoulders and keep moving," Hester said of the play he called the biggest of his football career at any level. "I'd like to continue to make more plays and help this team win however we can."
