Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft got a huge shoutout from WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels for his viral kip-up move during their 34-31 defeat against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night, which is a nice consolation prize.
The play happened late in the third period, as Kraft gave the Green Bay Packers a new set of downs with 41 seconds left. The South Dakota State product avoided Kerby Joseph, as the Detroit Lions safety was going for his legs and Kraft channeled his inner Shawn Michaels when he fell to the ground after a 21-yard gain:
Shawn Michaels gave Tucker Kraft a 10 out of 10 for the athletic move, especially since it helped set up a Josh Jacobs touchdown run that gave the Green Bay Packers a 28-24 lead early in the final period. The kip-up was part of Michaels’ in-ring arsenal, as he would do it to set up his signature elbow drop (before the Sweet Chin Music finisher) from the top rope after hitting his opponents with a flying forearm.
Unfortunately for Green Bay, they couldn’t hold on since the Detroit Lions won 34-31 on a 35-yard field goal by Jake Bates late in the game. The Matt LaFleur-coached squad is now 9-4 on the season.
Tucker Kraft’s stats during the Green Bay Packers-Detroit Lions defeat
Tucker Kraft was one of the team’s top receivers, as he registered three receptions for 41 yards. The 24-year-old scored his lone touchdown with 13:16 left in the third period after catching a bullet pass from Jordan Love.
After the game, Kraft was asked about his kip-up, and he explained what went through his mind during the sequence.
“Get my ass up, “No matter how hard you get hit, it’s about how fast you get up. They can talk all the shit that they want. They can hit me as hard as they want but they’re not going to stop me from getting up,” Kraft explained via Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated.
“That’s what I want defenses to know. They can hit me as hard as they f***ing want to; I’m going to get up. I’m going to give juice, especially after making a play (for a) first down,” he added.
