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Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson apologized to his teammates for waving to the crowd and having their backs turned when Washington Commanders snapped the ball on their passing pass. winning Hail Mary touchdown as time expired and vowed not to do it again.

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“I let the moment get too big and it’s something that can never happen again and will never happen again,” he said Monday, the day after a heartbreaking 18-year defeat. 15.

Stevenson addressed the team uninvited during a meeting Monday. He said he wanted to let other players know that he realized he “let them down.”

Coach Matt Eberflus said any discipline would be handled internally. Stevenson seemed prepared for that, although he said he hadn’t met with the coaches.

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“We looked at the film, did step-by-step checks and tried to fix everything. Honestly, I can’t give you any details about it, but,” he said without finishing his sentence.

The Bears (4-3) entered Sunday’s game at Washington looking for their fourth straight victory. But after struggling offensively most of the day, they took their first lead with 25 seconds left on Roschon Johnson’s 1-yard touchdown run.

The Commanders then moved from the 24 to their 48 before a Jayden Daniels hit Noah Brown with the game-winning 52-yard touchdown. Stevenson was late getting to the play and missed an opportunity to prevent Zach Ertz from tipping the ball for an uncovered Brown to catch in the end zone.

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Video posted to social media showed Stevenson pointing toward the stands and raising his arms in the air with his back to the play — he said because he was cheering for Bears fans — when the ball was snapped. When he realized what was happening, he sprinted towards the middle of the field. Eberflus said Stevenson was supposed to block Brown. But instead, he went for the pass.

“I think it’s a really good lesson for everyone in terms of respecting the game,” tight end Cole Kmet said.

Stevenson posted an apology after the game on social media, saying: “To Chicago and his teammates, my apologies for the lack of awareness and focus…. The game is not over until the zeros arrive. I can’t take anything for granted. Notes taken, improvements will occur.

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