In the biggest night of American Football, Australian-born Ben Graham stood up for the Arizona Cardinals in what looked to everyone like the winning play of the match. Pittsburgh had something else to say, however, in a match full of records
Born in Australia, and playing for Geelong in the AFL for eleven seasons, the New York Jets signed him as a punter for their 2005 season at the tender age of 31 (a record now held by another Australian ex-AFL star, Saverio Rocca), becoming the oldest rookie to appear in the NFL.
He signed with New Orleans after a short 2008 season with his previous team.
Not having a lot of luck with New Orleans, he found hope in the Arizona Cardinals – an unlikely candidate for the XLIII Superbowl – in December of last year, only two months ago.
Since then, the Cardinals have proven critics wrong, and had their most successful playoff season to date.
This saw them into the Superbowl, and gave Ben Graham something that can never be taken from him: he is the first Australian to play in the Superbowl.
Coming in as the underdogs to the powerhouse known as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona looked beat throughout most of the game. Ben Graham and Larry Fitzgerald looked as if they were going to single-handedly win the championship with Fitzgerald scoring a touchdown that is worthy of an AFL sign-up to take the lead for the Cardinals, and Graham producing a powerful kick that took the ball to the two yard line.
The kick, holding the Steelers with a 23-20 lead with only two and a half minutes left, looked to be the winning formula needed by the Cardinals to hold of the year’s giants of the NFL.
The Steelers, however, produced an incredible victory with only 36 seconds left on the clock, ending the game 27-23, and taking home their sixth Superbowl championship; the most any team has ever won.
On top of these feats, Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison broke another record by making a 100-yard run after intercepting at one end and breaking through the Cardinals’ entire offence-defence to score a touchdown that will have everyone talking for a long time.
I am proud of Ben Graham today. With more AFL stars being scouted for the NFL, hopefully we will someday see an Australian holding the trophy. It might even be Graham, with a bit of luck.
Michael C
Guest
hazey.the.bear - absolutely. and I gather Nick Davis (ex Coll and Syd) is having a crack now.
Hazey the Bear
Roar Rookie
Michael C, "Bennett made pro bowl twice and the team of the decade. He certainly paved the way (and assisted along the way) for Graham and Sav Rocca." Apologies - You're absolutely right, of course...Would I be correct in saying that the performance by Graham in the Superbowl will continue to keep Aussies on the map as far as the NFL is concerned?
Michael C
Guest
btw - while Darren Bennett was lead punter for the NFL all decade team of the 90s, the kicker is of interest : a Danish fellow by the name Morten Anderson - read a bit of his wikipedia bio - Andersen was born in Copenhagen and raised in the west Jutland town of Struer, Denmark.[2] As a student, he was a gymnast and a long jumper, and barely missed becoming a member of the Danish junior national soccer team. He visited the United States in 1977 as a Youth For Understanding exchange student. He first kicked an American football on a whim at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. He was so impressive in his one season of high school football that he was given a scholarship to Michigan State University. Andersen, with his left leg as his dominant kicking leg, starred at Michigan State, setting several records, including a Big Ten Conference record 63-yard field goal against Ohio State University. He was named an All American in 1981. His success landed him the kicking job with the New Orleans Saints btw - he only retired officially december 8 last year (2008). Born in August, 1960 - - - On December 16, 2006, Andersen passed Gary Anderson to become the all-time leading scorer in NFL history. The following weekend, December 24, 2006 Andersen again passed Anderson to become the NFL's career leader in field goals made. On September 17, 2007, he again signed with the Falcons in an attempt to secure their unreliable kicking game. By the end of the regular season he had made 25 of 28 field goals (89.3%), the most accurate season of his career. In the 2008 season, Morten Andersen did not get a contract with any team, but waited until December 8 to officially retire[8][1]. If Morten Andersen had played on or after December 6, he would have been the oldest NFL player to play.[9] btw - re the impact of Darren Bennett : Bennett is also credited for the introduction into the NFL of the "Aussie Rules kick" or "Drop Punt" as it is known in Australia. The technique was instrumental in the advancement of Australians into the NFL, and currently half of the punters in the NFL make use of the Aussie Rules punt in pooch-punt situations. So - - the impact of a Danish soccer player and an Aussie footy player!!!
Michael C
Guest
hazey.the.bear - I think this has put Aussie footy players on the map as far as the NFL is concerned in the 'modern era' - that goes to Darren Bennett (remember, an 11 year career post being 'washed up' at AFL as a 29 yr old). Bennett made pro bowl twice and the team of the decade. He certainly paved the way (and assisted along the way) for Graham and Sav Rocca. FGMN - Colin Scotts was interviewed this morning on SEN (Kevin Bartletts program), and he indicated that the chances of NRL types making the transition were far less likely now - mainly because of the athletic qualities that the african-americans are bringing to the game. The 'white' guys over there find it hard enough to get a look in. Sports suitable genetics can be a bugger!!
Redb
Guest
Damn shame for Benny Graham, so close and what a fairytale if that last punt had secured victory. Redb
stoffy
Guest
I think a number of people underestimate the importance of the role of the punter in American football. As we've seen on numerous occasions in NFL yardage is everything, it can inevitably decide the likelihood of the team in possession being able to reach the end zone. A well directed punt travels between 45-50 yards with the hang time being the punters number one asset. If a punter can manufacture this type of kick, it can mean minimal yardage on the return or a fair call and occasionally a fumble. I think Benny Graham stood up when his team required him. He started scratchy with his first punt, but stepped up to finish with a number of quality kicks resulting in the Cardinals being able to apply pressure.
Phil Coorey
Guest
It was a great game and a fitting end to what was an amazing season.
Forgetmenot
Guest
Honestly, there would be more players from league and union converting to american football, than players from football. I was hoping Benny would pull thorugh, and i thought we had it with a minute to go, but it wasnt to be. It was one of the most exciting games of American football i ever watched though. I will certianly be making time in my schedule to watch a few more Cardinals matches next season.
Hazey the Bear
Roar Rookie
Nice article, Ryan. Normally, I wouldn't have bothered watching the Superbowl, but with Ben Graham playing, you couldn't pay me to miss it. I thought his first punt was a little dodgy, but that was probably nerves...After that, he was in control and he did his job for the team brilliantly. There were two kicks in particular that I thought shifted the momentum completely in the Cardinal's favour. Although Arizona lost, it was these moments that turned the game into a riveting contest which could have gone either way. Congrats have to go to the Steelers for coming up with the win... From his performance, he's likely to score another contract with Arizona which he wholeheartedly deserves. I think this has put Aussie footy players on the map as far as the NFL is concerned, and we're likely to see more players at the end of their AFL career switch to American football... Good on ya, Ben...You did Australian proud with your performance.