Bucky Irving gets a visit from a fellow Duck during Tampa Bay's Week 17 game

Former Oregon running back Bucky Irving has already become a star in the NFL during his rookie season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On Sunday, Dec. 29, Irving received a visit from a fellow Duck but not one that had ever shared a football field with him before.

During the third quarter of the Buccaneers' Week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, an actual duck (the feathered kind) spent a few minutes on the field in Tampa Bay.

Beyond the duck's visit hopefully being a good omen for Oregon's postseason campaign that was set to start just a few days later, it was clearly a good sign for the former Oregon running back who surpassed 1,000 rushing yards on the season before the end of the game.

Irving, alongside former Duck quarterback Bo Nix, has made his campaign for the Offensive Rookie of the Year while playing for the Buccaneers.

Through his first 16 games in the NFL, Irving already amassed an incredible 1,033 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. The former Duck has earned an additional 397 yards through the air as well as 176 yards on touchdown returns.

After his career at Oregon, many experts were expecting Irving's small stature to be a problem at the next level, standing at just 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds. However, the former Duck's shiftiness and ability to stay upright after contact have made him a weapon in Tampa Bay's backfield.

Irving started his collegiate career with the Minnesota Gophers before spending his final two seasons with the Ducks. Over those three years, Irving amassed 2,937 rushing yards, 785 receiving yards, and 25 all-purpose touchdowns.

Tampa Bay didn't select Irving until the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft when he was taken 125th overall. Since starting his career with the Buccaneers, Irving has led the team in rushing, ahead of veteran running back Rachaad White.

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