Before Sunday, all I knew about Justin Tucker was (1) he was the kicker for the Baltimore Ravens and (2) he is really, really good.

After Sunday, I think I know something else — he might just be my favorite player in the NFL.

No offense to Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees, but what Tucker did after the game against New Orleans put him in rarified air in my book.

What did he do? He talked. And not only did he talked, but he said all the right things.

See, Tucker missed an extra point in the Ravens’ loss to the Saints. Normally, that might not be such a big deal, except for these facts:

** Tucker had made 223 consecutive extra points.

** The score was 24-23.

** There were only 24 seconds left in the game.

For 9 out of 10 players in the NFL, suffering through that heartbreak would have tough to take. Most would have refused to be interviewed. At best, they would have given terse responses (see Newton, Cam; Super Bowl 50). To be honest, the percentage might be even greater than 9 out of 10.

Instead, Tucker came to the interview room and answered every last question. Here’s why: “More than anything, I just wanted to be here [at the podium]. If I was going to ever teach my son or any young person about accountability, I felt like it was really important that I stand up here and answer whatever questions you guys may have.”

In a league where Jacksonville defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs his mouth for weeks before the season begins and then can’t be found after a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, it’s nice to know that somebody out there gets it.

“Every kicker, every football player, is going to come across a moment, a challenging moment,” Tucker said. “You play long enough, you’re going to have a kick that you want back, and tonight was that night for me. The only thing you can do is just go to work, and try to make the best out of a bad situation. I appreciate the efforts of my teammates, putting us in a position to extend the game, and unfortunately I wasn’t able to put the ball through the uprights.”

Here’s hoping he starts a new and better streak.

Immediately.

As an old equipment guy, I offer a comment:

The uniform Devin White of Springhill was wearing when he either did (by rule) or didn’t (by God!) “target” the Mississippi State quarterback in Saturday night’s win? It was awesome.

I love a big number. The simplicity of the all-white pants and jersey, the Grand Canyon-big numbers (!), the lack of nameplates, the modern helmets that somehow managed to look “old” because they were muted: I thought the Tigers looked awesome. And I don’t ever use the word “awesome” unless I am talking about either a really good breakfast when the grits are perfect or a really good bacon cheeseburger. Or my mother.

I loved the uniforms.

These, I understand, were worn as a tribute to the season that wasn’t. LSU didn’t play football in 1918 because of World War 1. In case you have forgotten, America and the Allies covered the spread.

There were other nuanced nuances as to why the Tigers wore what they did, all of which you can discover if you wish by Googling (at work even, if no one is watching).

Most of the time, “throwback” uniforms are a disgrace. But I always enjoy them because I think, when I see them, of the locker room conversations at the time they were NOT throwbacks but were instead the actual uniforms of the day.

One locker: “These are AWESOME, like the breakfast I had with really good grits this morning!”

Another locker: “I am SO embarrassed to wear this crap. It looks like my parents mixed up my Garanimals.”

And so it goes in the uniform game. It’s a dicey deal, but it matters. Most guys play better if they feel they look good out there.

But the best way to look good is to do what you’re supposed to do.

I love to see Devin White play. Wish I could see him for four quarters against Alabama. But I can’t. He’s out for the first half because he targeted.

I apologize, but I can read. Specifically, the targeting rule. It’s exasperating, and the way it’s enforced invites criticism. But White, according to the rule, broke it.

But he looked good in that uniform.

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