When Mike Nugent’s field goal clunked in off the left upright on Sunday and clinched victory for the Cincinnati Bengals over the Seattle Seahawks, some thought the kicker had benefited from a dash of luck.
Not so says famed cosmologist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, who has ruled that Nugent – and the Bengals – had help from the Earth’s rotation during the play.
Today's @Bengals winning OT field goal was likely enabled by a 1/3-in deflection to the right, caused by Earth’s Rotation.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 11, 2015
In the N. Hemisphere, Earth’s Coriolis force deflects airborne north-south projectiles to the right. About 1/2-in per 50 yds.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 11, 2015
The @Bengals stadium isn’t oriented exactly North-South. And the field goal was 42-yds. Yielding a 1/3-in deflection, not 1/2
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 11, 2015
The win means the Bengals now have a perfect record this season, and although astrophysics may have come into play, others would pay tribute to quarterback Andy Dalton and his offense, which is currently ranked second in the NFL.
Nugent, who is five for seven on field goals this season, has yet to comment on DeGrasse Tyson’s theory. The kicker majored in business marketing and logistics while at Ohio State, making it unlikely he has an advanced understanding of the Coriolis effect.
