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American NFL fans were shocked by Australian player Michael Dickson’s unusual kicking style.
28 years old Seattle Seahawks The star has been wowing the league for years with his unique and effective punting skills born from his failed Aussie Rules career. And he did it again over the weekend.
During Seattle’s loss to the Packers, Dickson fired a powerful torpedo kick that punt returner Jayden Reed struggled to catch.
The commentary team said, ‘It was difficult to catch the warbler.’
‘that… It was one of those Australian kicks. That’s right. Swinging across the body with that kick creates a wild spin that you don’t see very often.’
Dickson, who grew up in Sydney, has been one of the NFL’s best players over the past seven seasons.
Michael Dickson has impressed NFL fans with his punting skills for years.
Teammate Leonard Williams recently commented on the Australian player’s huge impact on the game.
‘It was an unexpected surprise,’ Seahawks defensive end said. Seattle Times.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever been that interested in that position, but he’s so good that I’m more interested in his work.
‘You also notice how much of an influence he has on the game, which I never noticed before.’
Dickson was a member of the Swans Talent Academy as a youngster and spent time playing for the club’s reserve team as he was expected to be selected in the AFL draft.
Fortunately, despite the AFL closing its doors, a more exciting window has opened.
Dickson and his massive right leg were recruited by Pro Kick Australia and the former Sydney native starred at the University of Texas, where he met cheerleader partner Gianni Outram.
This was a skill he displayed early on, and he was drafted unusually high by Seattle in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft… The rest was history.
The Aussie had his sights set on making it to the AFL as a youngster, but instead found great success in the NFL thanks to his thunderous kicking.
Dickson, pictured with girlfriend Gianni Outram, was drafted in 2018.
He made an immediate impact at the NFL level, signing a $21.9 million contract for 2021, making him the highest-paid player in the league.
He was so good that he made the most of his Australian rules background during the iconic ‘double punt’ play, providing one of the most viral moments of the 2021 season.
In a game against the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, one of Dickson’s punts was blocked while deep in team territory.
Rather than diving on the loose ball to prevent his opponent from gaining possession, Dickson drew an Australian rules backdrop, scooped it up one-handed and punted again. It was something many experts weren’t sure was legal and sent the ball down nearly 70 yards. field.
It thrilled the entire football world and has become an iconic moment ever since. There are so many that there are now t-shirts and hats emblazoned on them.