Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop delivered an absolute dagger against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, nailing a 56-yard field goal as time expired to seal a wild 34-31 victory. But that’s not even the wildest part: after the ball sailed through the uprights, Loop hit Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic “Siu” celebration, and the massive crowd at Maracanã Stadium actually yelled it right back at him!
Epic Finish in Rio
Seriously, this game was bonkers right down to the wire. With just seven seconds left on the clock, Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey had tied things up at 31 with a 23-yard field goal. Most teams would be thinking overtime, right? Not the Ravens. Quarterback Lamar Jackson zipped a clutch 27-yard pass to Zay Flowers, got to the sideline, and called a timeout with one second left. That set the stage for Loop, who stepped up for the 56-yard attempt. Turns out, teammate Nick Moore had told him about three minutes earlier, “We’re gonna do something epic to win this game.” And man, did they ever. Loop totally credited his guys, saying, “Our number was called, and Nick (Moore) and Ryan and the guys up front, they all did their job, so I can do mine. I’m so proud of this team.”
From Adversity to Iconic Celebration
For Loop, this kick wasn’t just a game-winner, it was a huge moment of redemption. Last season, he missed a 44-yard field goal in the finale that would have sent the Ravens to the playoffs, and they ended up losing 26-24 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Talk about a gut punch. But this season, Loop said the team has been all about responding to difficulty: “One thing we talked about was being on one accord. There was adversity, and then we went and responded, and we delivered, and it was awesome.” As for the “Siu” itself? Loop’s teammate Ryan Eckley had actually suggested a soccer-style knee slide after a big kick, but Loop went with the signature Ronaldo move instead: a jump, a spin, landing with feet wide, arms out, and shouting “Siuuu,” which is Spanish for “yes.” This game marked the NFL’s third in Brazil and the first ever American football game played at Maracanã, with an announced crowd of 72,792. It’s a memory Loop and his teammates won’t forget.
Loop truly values that bond with his teammates, calling it “the most special thing about this sport, the fellowship and the togetherness that you can build with those guys.” To see everything come together like this, especially after last season’s heartbreak, is just a blast. What a moment for the Ravens to open their season in such epic fashion on an international stage!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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