Sports | NFL Grieving Dad Scores Big Win for Tampa Bay Bucs' kicker Matt Bryant boots 3 field goals day after burying infant son By Jess Kilby Posted Sep 29, 2008 6:31 AM CDT Copied Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Bryant, center, hugs his wife, Melissa, and their two-year-old son, Tre, before the Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers play in a NFL football game Sunday, (AP Photo) The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Green Bay Packers yesterday with crucial support from a player who had just buried his infant son the day before, reports USA Today. Kicker Matt Bryant’s 3-month-old son died last week of causes that are still unknown, but Bryant connected on three field goals in the 30-21 victory. Bryant, who blew a kiss in the memory of his son after each field goal, said he played to honor his son’s name. "I miss him," Bryant said. "You know what? He was here with me. He helped out." Head coach Jon Gruden let Bryant decide whether he wanted to play and later awarded him the game ball. "I think he needed football today," Gruden said. "Boy, did he deliver." Read These Next "Admiral Piett" of the Star Wars universe died from COVID. Trump voter who supported mass deportations could be deported herself. Shooter opens fire on Texas Border Patrol Rescuer in floods gets a poignant question. Report an error