Tez Johnson’s MVP Misunderstanding Sparks Viral Laugh at Buccaneers Win

When Tez Johnson, rookie wide receiver of Tampa Bay Buccaneers caught a 45‑yard pass for his first career touchdown, the crowd at Raymond James Stadium erupted in a chorus of MVP chants. The moment seemed like pure celebration—until Johnson looked bewildered, thinking the cheers were for him. In reality, the chant was aimed at the man who threw the ball: Baker Mayfield, quarterback of the Buccaneers. The rookie’s split‑second confusion turned into a viral clip that lit up NFL socials on Sunday, October 13, 2025.

Game Context and Missing Receivers

The Buccaneers entered the Week 6 NFL matchupRaymond James Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers without their top three receiving options. Veteran deep‑threats Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were shelved before kickoff, and rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka limped off with a hamstring injury. That left the Buccaneers’ passing game hanging by a thread, and Coach Todd Bowles, head coach of the team forced Mayfield to distribute the ball among a relatively untested group.

Johnson’s Breakout Play and the MVP Mix‑up

Midway through the fourth quarter, Mayfield dropped back, launched a tight spiral over the middle, and Tez Johnson ripped it cleanly for a 45‑yard gain that put Tampa Bay ahead. The play gave the rookie three catches total and 62 receiving yards, but the touchdown was the headline. As soon as he crossed into the end zone, the stadium’s sound system amplified a wave of MVP chants that had been building after Mayfield’s earlier completions. Johnson, still buzzing from his first score, turned to the bench and shouted, “Did you hear that? That’s for me!” before his teammate Sterling Shepard, wide receiver for the Buccaneers cracked, “Baker Mayfield threw you the ball,” and burst out laughing. The mic‑ed up footage captured Johnson’s stunned grin, the bench’s collective snort, and the stadium’s oblivious cheering—all within a ten‑second clip that quickly amassed millions of views.

Reactions from Teammates and Coach

After the game, Mayfield shrugged off the hype, telling reporters at 9:15 PM UTC, “It’s still way too early for any MVP talk, but sure, the conversation’s getting louder.” Coach Bowles, in the post‑game press conference at 9:30 PM UTC, praised Johnson’s poise. “He showed composure beyond his years,” Bowles said, “and his touchdown came at a critical juncture when we needed a spark.” Even veteran wideout Mike Evans, who had watched from the sidelines, voted the moment “one of the most entertaining things I’ve seen in a game.” Shepard later recounted the bench scene on a podcast, noting how the instant humor helped keep the locker room loose despite the win’s importance.

Betting Buzz and Media Frenzy

Oddsmakers, who had listed Johnson as a +2,500 underdog for an anytime touchdown, suddenly found themselves fielding a flood of queries. One Twitter user, known as “Jersey Jerry,” claimed a sizable parlay that included Johnson’s score paid out handsomely. Sports betting sites updated their player prop pages within hours, flagging the rookie’s new “touchdown potential.” Meanwhile, national outlets—NFL Network, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated—ran the clip across their platforms, each adding a caption like “Rookie’s MVP Misfire Becomes Instant Meme.” Barstool Sports spun the moment into a broader conversation about rookie confidence, even noting Johnson’s link as the adopted brother of Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, adding a familial twist that fans found intriguing.

What This Means for Tampa Bay’s Season

The Buccaneers capped the night with a 27‑17 victory, improving their record to 5‑1 and nudging the 49ers down to 3‑3. The win reinforced Tampa Bay’s early‑season surge and highlighted the depth of its receiving corps. With Evans, Godwin, and Egbuka sidelined, the coaching staff now has a broader playbook that incorporates younger talent without sacrificing production. Analysts at The Athletic suggested that the Buccaneers could become “the most adaptable offense in the NFC South” if they continue to exploit these unexpected contributors.

Historical Parallels and Fan Culture

Fans and writers alike drew parallels to classic NFL moments when a player’s celebration was misread. In 2012, a similar “MVP” chant mixed‑up occurred when New England’s Rob Gronkowski thought the crowd’s acclaim was for him after a TD, only to learn it was for quarterback Tom Brady. The Buccaneers’ episode, however, carries a modern twist—viral social media dissemination turns a locker‑room joke into a nationwide talking point within minutes. It also underscores how the NFL’s chant culture historically centers on quarterbacks, a tradition that rookie receivers like Johnson are only beginning to navigate.

Key Facts

• Tez Johnson’s first TD came on a 45‑yard reception from Baker Mayfield.
• The Buccaneers won 27‑17 over the San Francisco 49ers.
• Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka were unavailable for the game.
• Coach Todd Bowles praised Johnson’s composure after the play.
• The viral clip amassed over 3 million views across NFL media platforms within 24 hours.