In one corner, there's Carli Lloyd — star midfielder for the World Cup-winning United States Women's National team. In the other corner, fan-favorite and 12th-year Houston Texans defensive tackle Vince Wilfork — all 6'2 and 325 pounds of him.
With Lloyd being a special guest of the Texans on HBO's Hard Knocks on Tuesday night, Texans coach Bill O'Brien suggested that Lloyd and Wilfork engage in a field-goal competition from 20 yards out.
World Cup Champion @CarliLloyd vs. 325lb @Wilfork75. Field Goal Contest?! Yup. It happened. #HardKnocks https://t.co/tWcUh5M5SK
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2015
After Wilfork gives Lloyd the first crack, explaining "ladies first," he watches the World Cup hero almost effortlessly kicking a 20-yard field goal through the upright with perfect form. Flashing a huge grin, Wilfork has a Texans employee put the ball down on a tee, drawing huge laughs from his Texans teammates.
To the surprise of many, the lovable D-lineman's kick sails through the upright as well — leaving Lloyd to contemplate what she just got herself into.
While this impromptu field-goal contest was all fun and games, what's not is the expectations for the 2015 Texans season. After falling short of cracking the AFC playoffs with a 9-7 record last season, the Texans will be counted on to make the postseason cut this year.
The HBO cameras following them and ESPN naming J.J. Watt the best player in the NFL during a recent ranking will only add to the hype and expectations. It's now or never.
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