Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Wrestling legend Ric Flair in awe of Baker Mayfield's gutsy performance

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 1/21/24

Trailing the Detroit Lions 31-23 with 1:59 remaining in the fourth quarter and a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line, a career-defining moment was right in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.

He completed his first pass to Mike Evans for five yards, moving the Bucs a little further away from the shadow of their own goal line. But on his second pass of the drive, Mayfield was intercepted by Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes, essentially ending the game and Tampa’s improbable playoff run.

Mayfield threw for 349 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in the defeat.

The former Oklahoma gunslinger threw for over 300 yards with three touchdowns in both of his playoff appearances and his gutsy performance during Sunday’s divisional-round matchup caught the attention of more than a few people, including wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, who gave the former No. 1 overall pick a tip of the cap on X after the game.

.@bakermayfield, We’ve Only Met Once. As Of Today, I Have So Much Respect For You And The @Buccaneers! You Played Your Heart Out. You’re A Badass! I Live In Tampa. I Don’t Have Your Number. I Would Love To Hang Out With You! You’re Such A Badass! I’m So Proud To Say That I’m A… pic.twitter.com/kUbmFNJgtH
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) January 21, 2024

Though Sunday's wasn’t the result he wanted, Mayfield has to be pleased with his overall body of work in 2023.

The 28-year-old QB had a bounce-back year, setting new career highs with 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdowns while leading Tampa to a 9-8 record, a third straight NFC South title and a playoff upset over the 11-6 Philadelphia Eagles while earning a shoutout from Flair along the way.

Mayfield’s career looked like it was on the fast track to obscurity after he hit abrupt endings in both Cleveland and Carolina. But he salvaged what he could via a solid five-game run with the Los Angeles Rams at the end of last season, earning himself a one-year, $4 million prove-it deal with the Bucs.

Multiple reports indicate that the Bucs want Mayfield back next season and a new multi-year contract appears to be in his future.

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