During the Detroit Lions’ 40-34 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, kicker Jake Bates was captured by ESPN’s cameras in an awkward position while stretching his leg on the sidelines, which quickly turned into a meme.
Jake started his athletic career in soccer at the University of Central Arkansas, where he earned First-Team All-SEC honors.
Despite going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, he briefly signed with the Houston Texans before joining the Michigan Panthers in the UFL.
Bates made headlines in March 2024 with a record-breaking 64-yard game-winning field goal in the UFL, which led to a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions.
During the 2024 NFL season, Bates has been a reliable kicker, with an impressive 89.3% field goal accuracy and multiple game-winning kicks.
Jake Bates has gained attention for his on-field moments several times
This isn’t the first time Jake Bates went viral for his amusing moments. He has experienced several moments that have captured public attention.
Earlier in the season, after a game-winning 44-yard field goal against the Minnesota Vikings, he celebrated with a dance that mirrored a viral TikTok trend, further endearing him to fans.
brought the boom 💥 pic.twitter.com/r9S1XVi5rh
— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
The most notable instance occurred during a Week 17 game against the San Francisco 49ers on December 30, 2024.
Bates was spotted lying on the sideline in a position that drew humorous comparisons to iconic scenes from “Titanic” and “Seinfeld.”
This image quickly spread across social media, generating a flurry of memes and lighthearted commentary.
Announcer Joe Buck even commented on the situation during the broadcast, adding to its notoriety.
Joe Buck appears to be into whatever Jake Bates is doing pic.twitter.com/LDacUcMQ1G
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) December 31, 2024
The moment was so unusual and unforgettable that ESPN replayed it during a commercial break after Bates successfully kicked a 42-yard field goal to increase the Lions’ lead.
Regardless of what Jake Bates achieves in his career, this clip is bound to stick with him.
Another significant viral moment took place earlier in the 2024 season during a game against the Houston Texans.
Bates played a pivotal role in the Lions’ comeback victory by kicking a game-tying 58-yard field goal, followed by a game-winning 52-yard field goal as time expired.
His clutch performance not only secured the win but also led to widespread acclaim and viral highlights across sports media platforms.
These instances showcase his athletic prowess and the public’s engagement with his memorable moments.
Jake Bates is engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Presley Folkerts
The couple began dating around June 2015 and are set to marry on March 1, 2025.
Presley Folkerts, born on June 12, 1999, in Tomball, Texas, is a speech-language pathologist.
She attended Baylor University and is an alumna of Texas A&M University.
Jake and Presley both attended Tomball High School in Texas, likely where their relationship began.
In July 2024, after almost ten years together, Jake proposed to Presley.
She expressed her excitement and gratitude on Facebook, highlighting their shared Christian faith and her anticipation of becoming his wife.
The couple has created a website to share details about their upcoming nuptials. They also participated in an engagement photoshoot in October 2024 at Lake Michigan in Grand Rapids.
Before his relationship with Presley, Jake dated Morgan Law in late 2014. However, that relationship ended, and he began dating Presley in mid-2015.
In case you did not know
- Jake was born on March 3, 1999, to Jonathan and Mariana Bates in Tomball, Texas.
- He has 3 siblings: Jordan, Cole, and Travis.
- After collegiate stints, Bates briefly worked as a brick salesman in Houston, Texas.
