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Brent Urban finally played his first NFL game for the Baltimore Ravens last night, and immediately swung an impending loss into a thrilling victory.
With the Cleveland Browns lined up to kick a 51-yard FG with 3 seconds remaining and the score tied 27-27, Urban got a good push through the line, stuck his hand up (he stands 6'7" tall), and blocked the kick. Teammate Will Hill picked up the ball and brought it all the way to the end zone to win the game 33-27.
Here's how it looked:
You've now seen it all: @Ravens walk-off blocked field goal returned for a TD...FOR THE WIN! #BALvsCLE https://t.co/3yS0IAOupN
— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2015
It's been a long road for Urban, who was drafted by the Ravens in the 4th round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He quickly tore his ACL and missed the season. Then, he tore his bicep - on the same arm he blocked the kick with - during training camp, and was a last-second decision to play this week. (The team considered having him finish the year on the IR before adding him to the 53-man roster before the game.) He was predictably happy after the game:
"It's crazy. I'm almost speechless." @Ravens DE @urbanlegend96 reacts to blocking @Browns' game-winning FG try. https://t.co/ifnp643szp
— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2015
Urban is one of 4 Virginia grads on the Ravens' roster. Matt Schaub started at QB for the injured Joe Flacco and finished 20-34 with 2 TDs, but threw two damaging picks - one returned for a touchdown and the other that set up the potential game-winning field goal. Eugene Monroe was out with an injury, and Chris Canty finished with one tackle but the announcers raved about his ability to pressure the quarterback in a key series before halftime.