Saints rookie hits game-winning field goal in win over Chiefs, gets mistaken for fan by stadium security

Blake Grupe licked a 31-yard field goal as time expired

New Orleans Saints rookie kicker Blake Grupe had an interesting introduction into the NFL on Sunday night, which included hitting the game-winning field goal and being mistaken for a fan. 

Grupe, an undrafted special teams player out of Notre Dame, recalled his experience on social media and revealed that his status as a Saints’ player was questioned twice before and after Sunday’s preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs. 

saints rookie hits game winning field goal in win over chiefs gets mistaken for fan by stadium security

Blake Gillikin, #5 of the New Orleans Saints, celebrates with Blake Grupe, #19 of the New Orleans Saints, after a field goal to win during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome on Aug. 13, 2023 in New Orleans. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

"Step 1: get questioned walking onto the field pregame for not having credentials," Grupe said in a post on X.

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"Step 2: hit a game winner," he continued, "Step 3: get stopped by security thinking I was a fan when trying to walk out the player exit." 

The humbling experience capped off a big night for the rookie, who kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Saints to a 26-24 victory over the Chiefs. 

saints rookie hits game winning field goal in win over chiefs gets mistaken for fan by stadium security

Blake Grupe, #19 of the New Orleans Saints, kicks a game-winning field goal during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome on Aug. 13, 2023 in New Orleans. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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"This league is all about winning, so winning in the preseason is important and I am glad our guys were able to do that," head coach Dennis Allen said in postgame remarks. "It was nice to see Grupe get a chance to get to kick in that situation and be able to knock it through."

Grupe made a good first impression as he competes with NFL veteran Wil Lutz for the starting job. 

saints rookie hits game winning field goal in win over chiefs gets mistaken for fan by stadium security

Blake Grupe, #19 of the New Orleans Saints, reacts after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason game at Caesars Superdome on Aug. 13, 2023 in New Orleans. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Lutz, 29, has been with the Saints since 2016. He boasts an 84.6 field goal percentage and has one Pro Bowl nod across six seasons. 

Grupe had a 73.7 field goal percentage last season but was 49 for 49 in extra-point attempts.

Paulina Dedaj is a Sports Reporter for Fox News Digital.

Authored by Paulina Dedaj via FoxNews August 14th 2023