[nesn_embed service=springboard src="//cms.springboardplatform.com/embed_iframe/899/video/1598771/nesn039/nesn.com/10"]

Stephen Gostkowski was feeling down after the New England Patriots lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, but Blair Walsh has been there.

Gostkowski missed an extra point, something that hadn't happened since his rookie season in 2006, on the Patriots' first touchdown of Sunday's 20-18 loss, and it hung heavy when New England needed to attempt two-point conversion to tie the game in the final seconds. But Walsh, who missed what would have been a game-winning 27-yard field goal to end the Minnesota Vikings' wild card game against the Seattle Seahawks, had some words of encouragement for Gostkowski.

Walsh is completely right, of course, as Gostkowski can only shoulder so much blame for the loss. His miss happened in the first quarter, meaning the Patriots had three full quarters to make it right, but Denver's defense proved to be too much. And Walsh shouldn't feel too sorry for himself, either, as he scored all the Vikings' points in their 10-9 loss.

This is an important lesson that kickers are people, too.

Thumbnail photo via Brace Hemmelgarn/USA TODAY Sports Images