Look, when your head coach compares you to a serial killer on live television, you’ve either done something terribly wrong or incredibly right. In Chris Boswell’s case, it’s the latter—and Mike Tomlin’s bizarre compliment actually captures the essence of what makes the Pittsburgh Steelers kicker so damn good.
After Boswell drilled a career-long 60-yard field goal to beat the New York Jets 34-32, Tomlin dropped this gem: “I can’t say enough about Boz. Man, our kicker is a serial killer. He’s got a low pulse rate. He can’t wait to deliver.”
Serial killer? Really, Coach?
The Boswell Transformation Story
The journey from shaky to sensational wasn’t overnight magic. In 2023, Boswell saved his career by going 29-for-31 on field goals, including a solid 6-for-7 from 50-plus yards. But last season? That’s when he truly became the “serial killer” Tomlin referenced.
Boswell finished 2024 with a ridiculous 41-for-44 record, nailing 13 of 15 attempts from beyond 50 yards. Those aren’t just good numbers—they’re historically great. The man turned kicking field goals into an art form, and Sunday’s performance was his masterpiece.
Breaking Down the Game-Winner
Let’s talk about that 60-yarder for a second. Fourth-and-11 from the 42-yard line, trailing 32-31 with 1:05 left. Most teams punt and pray for a miracle. The Steelers? They sent out their “serial killer.”
Boswell had never made a kick this long. His previous career high was 59 yards. But there he was, cool as a cucumber, splitting the uprights with room to spare. The kick wasn’t just good—it had the distance for at least 65 yards.
That’s 11 career game-winners in the final two minutes of regulation or overtime for Chris Boswell. Eleven! The man doesn’t just handle pressure; he thrives on it. That’s some serious serial killer mentality right there.
The Psychology Behind Tomlin’s Comment
Mike Tomlin isn’t known for giving out compliments lightly, and he certainly doesn’t make serial killer comparisons without good reason. Probably shouldn’t in general knowing the controversies that happened with the NFL off the field. What he’s really saying is that Chris Boswell has ice in his veins when the lights are brightest.
“He’s got a low pulse rate. He can’t wait to deliver,” Tomlin added. That’s not just coach speak—that’s the perfect description of a kicker who treats pressure situations like a walk in the park.
Most players get amped up in clutch moments. Their heart rate spikes, adrenaline floods their system, and sometimes they crack. Not Boswell. The bigger the moment, the calmer he becomes. It’s almost unsettling how composed he looks lining up for game-winning kicks.
The Perfect Tomlin-ism
Leave it to Mike Tomlin to find the most colorful way possible to praise his kicker. The man who gave us “we don’t live in our fears” and countless other memorable quotes just added another classic to his collection.
But here’s the beauty of it—the comparison actually works. Serial killers are precise, patient, and deadly when they strike. Chris Boswell embodies all of those traits every time he steps onto the field for a crucial kick.
The only difference? Boswell’s victims are opposing teams’ playoff hopes, not actual people. Though after watching him drill that 60-yarder, Jets fans might argue there’s no difference.
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