Over time, the meaning of some words and phrases change. The sports world offers us an extreme example.

Up until recently, no athlete wanted the word “goat” pinned to them. It meant that a player screwed up and cost his or her team a game, especially a big game.

Now, athletes dream of being the GOAT, an acronym for the “Greatest of All Time.”

I can’t get used to the new meaning. I grew up with the former definition and that’s the meaning I will always associate with the word.

With that in mind, here are two memorable instances when a player became a goat. Yes, of the lowercase variety.

In each case, I think the players in question have taken more heat over the years than they deserved.

Bill Buckner had turned in a very productive 18-year baseball career by the fall of 1986. The Red Sox acquired him via trade in 1984 and two years later, Boston found itself in the World Series.

With the game tied at 5 in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 6 against the Mets, Buckner let a weak ground ball off the bat of Mookie Wilson roll between his legs with two outs, allowing the winning run to score.

Two nights later, the Mets were crowned champions by winning Game 7.

Buckner’s mishap is the signature play of the series, but Boston’s meltdown had several contributors.

The Sox entered that 10th frame with a 5-3 lead. Before Wilson’s grounder, Boston pitcher Calvin Schiraldi allowed three straight two-out base hits that cut the lead to 5-4.

Bob Stanley then threw a wild pitch, which plated the tying run.

If Buckner would have cleanly fielded the ball, the game goes to the 11th inning. Maybe the Sox end up winning the game, maybe not.

Also, Boston held a 3-0 lead in Game 7. If it holds on to win, Buckner’s error becomes a mere footnote.

Moving on to football, Super Bowl XXV had not exactly gone as planned for the Buffalo Bills. Their high-powered offense had spent the majority of the game on the sidelines due to the Giants’ methodical, ball-control strategy.

But, trailing 20-19, quarterback Jim Kelly led a late drive that reached New York’s 29.

Scott Norwood was sent out with eight seconds left to boot a 47-yard field goal that would have sent western New York into a frenzy.

But the former All-Pro’s attempt sailed wide right. As much as that missed kick is blamed for the loss, I often think of another play that led to the game’s outcome.

Midway through the second quarter, the Bills led 10-3 and had the Giants pinned at their own 7.

On a pass play, defensive end Bruce Smith broke through New York’s protection and grabbed quarterback Jeff Hostetler’s right forearm in the end zone.

Somehow, the signal caller managed to hold onto the ball and the play resulted in a safety, not a touchdown for the Bills. Buffalo could have gone up 17-3 and probably would have won the game.

It seems that all goats have help in attaining the dubious tag.

Derek Pyda is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle