WATCH: Evan McPherson enjoys Super Bowl halftime show on sideline
Cincinnati Bengals rookie kicker and former Florida star Evan McPherson took in the halftime show from the sideline, leaving his teammates to talk strategy in the locker room. With Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent performing, he soaked in the moment.
While it is not uncommon for special teams players to return from halftime before the rest of the team, Evan McPherson’s early arrival is made more iconic by the decision to soak in the musical performance.
Clearly, his decision to relax at halftime paid off. McPherson made his second field goal of the game from 38 yards away in the third quarter to extend the Bengals lead to seven points.
The rookie kicker became a cult hero after making 12 field goals in three games, including two game-winners, to help lead the Bengals to the Super Bowl. His confidence and swagger have only increased the love he receives from the city of Cincinnati.
McPherson was the only kicker taken in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Florida, a fact the Bengals are very proud of at this point. Cincinnati took him with pick No. 149 in the fifth round. Now his jersey sales have reached a status few kickers in NFL history ever have before.
More about Evan McPherson
Evan McPherson came out of the playoff game as the unlikely hero for the Bengals. The rookie finished a perfect 4-for-4 on his field goal attempts in back-to-back weeks.
Quarterback Joe Burrow said McPherson did a couple of warm up kicks before a game-winner, then turned to backup quarterback Brandon Allen and told him: “Well, looks like we’re going to the AFC Championship Game.”
As his status as a hero grows, Evan McPherson’s jersey has become a hot commodity. According to Front Office Sports, the Cincinnati Bengals have sold out indefinitely of No. 2 jerseys at the official pro shop.
During his three years with the Gators, he hit on 85% of his field-goal attempts, going 51-of-60 overall. He also made 94.5% of his boots inside 40 yards during his career. That success, along with a solid record this season, made him confident that he’d make the final 52-yarder.
“I would say I was (confident), I think that’s one of the most important things for kickers to have is confidence,” McPherson told Dan Patrick on his show. “My teammates had confidence in me.