The kick that defined a career: How a double-doink changed NFL history
In short: Cody Parkey’s professional journey spanned multiple NFL teams and record-breaking rookie success. Yet, his legacy is often anchored to a single, agonizing moment in a 2019 playoff game. This high-stakes miss, famously dubbed the Double Doink, serves as a stark reminder of the fine margins between triumph and public scrutiny.
Born in 1992, Cody Parkey’s path to the NFL began at Auburn University, where he spent four years honing his skills as a placekicker. After going undrafted in 2014, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. His debut season was historic; he set a new rookie scoring record with 150 points, surpassing the previous benchmark of 144 points established by Kevin Butler in 1985. This performance earned him a spot in the 2015 Pro Bowl, cementing his status as a rising talent.
However, the trajectory of Parkey’s career shifted significantly during his tenure with the Chicago Bears. In a 2019 NFC wild card game against the Eagles, Parkey attempted a 43-yard field goal that would have secured a victory. The ball struck the left upright and the crossbar before falling into the end zone, a sequence NBC commentator Cris Collinsworth famously labeled the Double Doink. While the miss effectively ended the Bears' season, subsequent frame-by-frame analysis revealed the ball had been tipped by Eagles defensive tackle Treyvon Hester, leading the NFL to officially classify the play as a blocked kick.
The aftermath of the miss highlighted the intense pressure inherent in professional sports. Parkey faced backlash after appearing on NBC’s Today show to discuss the event without prior approval from the Bears' front office. Head coach Matt Nagy publicly criticized the decision, emphasizing the team-first culture the organization sought to maintain. Parkey was released by the Bears shortly thereafter, despite having significant guaranteed money remaining on his contract. He continued his career with stints at the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New Orleans Saints, but the memory of that singular, unlucky kick remains a defining chapter in his professional narrative.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Cody Parkey
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-cody-parkey.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
