Raiders kicker Giorgio Tavecchio was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday, in the wake of his four-field goal performance in Sunday’s 26-16 victory over Tennessee.
Tavecchio, a 27-year-old rookie and Cal alum, became the first kicker in NFL history to make two field-goal attempts of 50-plus yards in his debut. He converted from 20, 52, 52 and 43 yards in Oakland’s win over the Titans.
Tavecchio’s improbable emergence created so much media interest, he followed quarterback Derek Carr to the press-conference podium Wednesday at the team’s practice facility in Alameda. At one point, Tavecchio — previously released by the Raiders in 2015, ‘16 and earlier this month — was asked why he thought Oakland kept bringing him back.