What Bills’ Matt Prater told Josh Allen before Ravens game after meeting days ago

The Buffalo Bills were left for dead with about five minutes to go in their Week 1 Sunday Night Football clash against the Baltimore Ravens, but nobody told Josh Allen and company that. Allen led a furious rally in the final minutes, marching the Bills on three consecutive scoring drives to give his team an improbable 41-40 win.

Allen was the star, but new addition Matt Prater was the hero in the end for the Bills. The veteran kicker capped off a perfect Buffalo debut with a game-winning 32-yard field goal to send Bills Mafia home happy after a Week 1 classic.

Prater signed with the Bills on Thursday after their regular kicker, Tyler Bass, was placed on injured reserve due to a hip injury. Prater was still getting to know his new teammates in Buffalo when he won them the first game of the season. After the game against the Ravens, Allen revealed a confident message that Prater gave him just before Week 1 kicked off.

“Honestly, I met him in the locker room two days ago, he showed me a video of his son playing quarterback. That's how we met,” Allen said. “And today before the game he comes up to me, before we even take the field, he just said, ‘Hey, I promise you I'm going to give you everything I got tonight.'”

Prater did just that, drilling all three of his field goal attempts and both of his extra points (the Bills failed all three of their 2-point conversion attempts). One of the forgotten moments from the crazy comeback was Prater's clutch 43-yard kick at the end of the first half, which was set up by an incredible throw from Allen against an 11-man coverage from Baltimore.

That field goal sent the Bills into halftime down by just a touchdown instead of by 10 points, and that extra three made a huge difference in the end.

Prater will have to be at the top of his game for at least a few more weeks until Bass gets back on the field, but he may have a chance to learn himself the job for even longer than that. The young kicker missed five extra points last season and also came up empty on five field goals, all of which came inside of 50 yards.

If Prater can keep kicking like he did on Sunday night, the Bills may decide that he is the more reliable option moving forward.

BREAKING: Red Sox' Roman Anthony Faces Backlash After Refusing to Celebrate Pride Month, Calls "Woke" Movement Undeserving of Celebration

"I RESPECT EVERYONE, BUT I DON'T THINK 'WOKE' DESERVES TO BE CELEBRATED. BASEBALL SHOULD BE ABOUT COMPETITION AND UNITY - NOT POLITICS."

In a controversial and polarizing move, Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony has ignited a firestorm of debate across Major League Baseball and beyond after announcing he will not be celebrating Pride Month this year. The comments, made during a routine press session, have raised eyebrows, sparked heated reactions, and thrown the league into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

The Shocking Quote

Anthony, one of the most promising young players in MLB, made his stance clear when questioned about Pride Month and the ongoing push for inclusivity in sports. With his characteristic confidence, Anthony delivered a statement that was both unexpected and incendiary:

"I respect everyone, but I don’t think ‘woke’ deserves to be celebrated. Baseball should be about competition and unity — not politics."

The statement, simple yet direct, immediately went viral and sent shockwaves through the MLB community. Anthony’s words stirred a frenzy of reactions on social media, sports talk shows, and across public platforms, with opinions divided like never before.

The Fallout: Fans and Teammates React

Anthony’s comments were met with an immediate and intense response. On social media, the hashtags #StandWithAnthony and #CancelAnthony began trending within hours, reflecting the deep division his remarks caused.

Supporters of the Red Sox outfielder hailed his words as a bold stand for principle. Many voiced their admiration for his willingness to reject the increasingly political nature of sports, particularly in the wake of movements such as Black Lives Matter and Pride Month celebrations. These fans argue that sports should remain a place for competition and escape from the pressures of societal and political movements.

One fan tweeted, "Anthony is just telling it like it is. We don’t need to mix politics with baseball. It’s about the game, not agendas."

However, Anthony’s comments were far from universally supported. Critics quickly voiced their disapproval, calling his stance "out of touch" and "a dangerous step backward" for the inclusivity efforts MLB has championed in recent years. The backlash focused heavily on the notion that Anthony’s influence as one of the league’s rising stars carries significant weight, and his decision to distance himself from Pride Month celebrations may be seen as a regression in the ongoing fight for equality and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community.

"I’m disappointed in Roman Anthony," one user wrote. "He’s a role model for so many, and his comments send a message that being inclusive isn’t important. That’s not the leadership we need from our stars."

MLB's Response: A Delicate Situation

Sources within MLB have expressed concern over Anthony’s comments, fearing the potential fallout could harm the league's reputation as it continues to align itself with movements that advocate for social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and equality.

"MLB has invested a significant amount of time and resources into fostering inclusivity, and Anthony’s words could complicate that," one league source said. "It’s one thing for a player to have personal beliefs, but it’s another when that player is one of the most visible faces in baseball."

While MLB has yet to make an official statement regarding Anthony’s remarks, insiders reveal that league executives are worried about the potential impact on their Pride Month campaigns and relationships with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. MLB has long been an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, including partnerships with organizations such as the Trevor Project, and Anthony’s comments represent a dramatic departure from that stance.

The Red Sox’ Response: Silence Amidst Tension

As of now, Anthony’s teammates have largely remained silent on the issue. Some analysts speculate that behind closed doors, there may be discomfort among the Red Sox locker room, given the sensitive nature of the comments. However, no players have publicly criticized or supported Anthony at this time.

In Boston, the fanbase has been equally divided. While some supporters rally behind their young outfielder, others feel betrayed by his comments, which many see as contrary to the unity that the Red Sox have long represented.

"I’ve been a Red Sox fan for years, but this feels like a betrayal," said one fan outside Fenway Park. "I thought Anthony was different. He’s the face of this team, but now it feels like he's ignoring what matters."

The Bigger Picture: Culture Wars in Sports

Anthony’s decision to publicly reject Pride Month celebrations has propelled him into the center of America's ongoing culture wars, placing him at the intersection of sports and politics. While some see his stance as a principled rejection of "woke" culture, others argue that it undermines the values of inclusivity and progress that MLB has worked to embrace.

The comments highlight the broader tension within the sports world about how athletes should use their platforms and whether their role as public figures comes with an obligation to stand for more than just athletic achievement. As professional sports increasingly become a battleground for social issues, Anthony’s refusal to take part in Pride Month celebrations is a stark reminder of the divides that continue to shape both the game and society as a whole.

The Future: A Long Road Ahead

Whether Anthony’s comments will have lasting repercussions remains to be seen. What is undeniable is that they have reignited a conversation about the role of politics in sports, the meaning of unity, and the need for athletes to lead by example.

For now, Roman Anthony will have to navigate the fallout from his remarks, while MLB looks ahead to how this controversy will impact the league’s relationship with both its fans and its LGBTQ+ partners. One thing is for sure: Anthony’s stance has made a major impact, but whether it’s one that will help or hinder his legacy remains to be determined.