Jake Bates was awkwardly stretching in a funky-looking position when ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters decided she had to know what he was doing.

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates became the viral sensation of his team's Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers - but it had nothing to do with field goals. Bates, 25, was seen performing a unique stretching routine to mitigate an injury during the fourth quarter of the Monday,

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates got the meme treatment when ESPN cameras captured him stretching on the sidelines during “Monday Night Football” against the 49ers. Bates was seen sprawled out on the grass while he made faces with his tongue out in the fourth quarter — before an explosive second half by Detroit sealed a 40-34 win against the home team in Santa Clara.

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates was responsible for one of the more memorable moments during his team's Week 17 win over the San Francisco 49ers, but it had nothing to do with his play. Here's what Bates said about the viral photo of him that had the internet in a frenzy.

Not long ago, Jake Bates was a kicker without a team, but the Detroit Lions gave him a unique opportunity, one he hasn’t wasted. He recently set a franchise record during a game against the San Francisco 49ers.