Bucs' Jalen McMillan not a fan of duck that landed on field during game despite fan frenzy

On Sunday, NFL fans may have wondered what was going on when the bird flew onto the field at Raymond James Stadium during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' win over the Carolina Panthers.

The Duck appeared with about 5:30 left in the third quarter. The CBS broadcast began focusing on the animal when the Buccaneers blocked the Panthers' punt. JJ Russell returned the ball 23 yards to the end zone for the touchdown.

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December 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, United States; A duck stands on the field during an NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

A Buccaneers staff member was able to get the duck to safety. Fans on social media went wild.

The score gave Tampa Bay a 41-14 lead. The Buccaneers won the game 48-14 after Jalen McMillan scored his second touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The duck's appearance took over the Internet and the NFL as the league made the duck its new header photo on its X account. But McMillan wasn't exactly convinced. He said he saw the duck and didn't like it.

“That was one of the bad moments of the game: that duck landing on the field,” he told WFLA-TV. “Ducks are bad luck. They're weird. I hate ducks.”

December 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, United States; A duck stopped play between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

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McMillan didn't exactly explain why he hated ducks, but it might have something to do with his alma mater. The wide receiver attended Washington and faced the Oregon Ducks during his career. The two schools are rivals.

Ducks are also considered good luck in some cultures, although McMillan is not a fan. The duck appeared on the punt block, and it turned out to be good luck for Tampa Bay – not so much for Carolina.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan runs against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

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The Buccaneers selected McMillan in the third round of the 2024 draft. The rookie has 32 catches for 387 yards and seven touchdowns this season. One more win and the Bucs advance to the playoffs.

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