After the Packers' victory over the Steelers, McManus received a storm of criticism from Packers fans - And captain Jordan Love had a heartwarming action that made Green Bay fans proud!

After the Packers' victory over the Steelers, McManus received a storm of criticism from Packers fans - And captain Jordan Love had a heartwarming action that made Green Bay fans proud!

PITTSBURGH – The 35-19 victory of the Green Bay Packers over the Pittsburgh Steelers on the evening of 10/26/2025 should have been a complete night of celebration. Yet Brandon McManus – the veteran kicker – became the center of criticism when he missed two consecutive field goals in the first half (a 38-yard attempt blocked, a 44-yard attempt wide of the upright). Social media in Packers Nation exploded: “McManus retire!”, “15 million dollars for 50% accuracy?”, “Havrisik is the future!”. A storm of bricks rained down just minutes after the final whistle.

But then, the most beautiful image of the Pittsburgh night was not Jayden Reed’s touchdown catch or Rashan Gary’s sack. It was the moment Jordan Love – the 26-year-old captain – walked straight to the technical area, pulled the downcast McManus into his arms and whispered something that made the 34-year-old veteran burst into tears right on the field.

An ESPN reporter recorded the dialogue that touched the hearts of millions of Packers fans:

Jordan Love (hugging McManus tightly by the shoulders): “Hey Brandon, listen to me. Two misses don’t define you. You kicked the game-winner in week 2, you kept us alive in OT week 4. Today you came back from injury, kicked two perfect ones in the second half – that’s the Brandon McManus the whole team needs. This family doesn’t abandon each other. Go home, sleep well, next week you’ll be a legend again at Lambeau. I got you, brother.”

McManus wiped his tears, nodded: “Thank you, Jordy. I needed that tonight.”

The image spread in just 30 minutes: over 500,000 shares on X, hashtag #LoveGotMcManus trending top 1 in Wisconsin. One fan wrote: “Love isn’t just a QB, he’s a real leader.” McManus’s mother posted a story: “Thank you son @jordan3love, you saved your dad’s day.”

Head Coach Matt LaFleur after the game: “Jordan understands football is a game of human beings. He reminds everyone that we win-lose together. That’s not a QB – that’s the leader of Green Bay. No one gets left behind. Packers Way.” McManus later made 25-yard and 31-yard kicks in the second half, helping snuff out the Steelers’ comeback hopes.

The 35-19 victory pushed the Packers to 5-1-1, leading the NFC North. But the real story is brotherhood: a young QB embracing an older kicker amid a storm of criticism, turning individual failure into collective strength. Next week, Lambeau Field will surely echo “Mc-Ma-nus!” instead of boos.

Jordan Love didn’t just throw 312 yards, 3 TDs last night. He also threw away his teammate’s pain – and won the heart of all Green Bay.