An act of genius by Australian punter Michael Dickson has sent social media into a frenzy, and left NFL officials scrambling for the rulebooks.
The 25-year old Sydneysider turned Seattle Seahawk, who was a junior prodigy playing AFL before heading stateside, showed that it’s not just his kicking game that has the potential to raise eyebrows.
After an initial punt was blocked by LA Rams linebacker Jamir Jones, the Aussie showed lightning reflexes to sprint for the ball, executing a skilful one-handed pick-up at full pace; before unleashing a second kick 68 yards further afield.
NFL Twitter then proceeded to lose their minds. Among the list of fans gushing over the play was former linebacker turned analyst Emmanuel Acho.
The Sydney Swans, where Dickson was a member of their Academy before switching sports, were quick to point out where he’d picked up the trick.
While most of the attention was devoted to Dickson’s outstanding pick-up – a relatively common move in the AFL – the officials’ focus soon turned to whether Dickson’s double punt was actually legal. This led to a lengthy delay as everyone tried to work out what was going on, and what to do next.
Initially, the Fox Sports commentators believed the eye-popping play was illegal, with rules analyst Mike Pereira claiming that a second kick of the ball in the same play was against the rules.
However, the referee would eventually deem the play legal, with American sports reporter Andrew Siciliano finding the relevant rule.
Dickson is far from a one-trick pony, either; with the Seahawks handing him a four-year contract extension worth $19 million AUD earlier this year.
Unfortunately for him, though, the moment of magic wasn’t enough to inspire the Seahawks, going down 26-17.
James Robinson
Roar Rookie
That failure is on the blockers not blocking. Not Dickson's fault
Shane Backx
Roar Rookie
Lets face it, you dont have to play AFL level to do that. Its done hundreds of times in every game at all levels from under 8s upwards
Cugel
Roar Rookie
I was at that game, and I told him to "Kick it again", so you're welcome.
JGK
Roar Guru
How's the jatz crackers?
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Dickson didn't play in the AFL.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
The GOAT. Remember this vividly. Damn that Raiders side was good.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
That was a good smother by no.44.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I do long want to brag, but I’ve picked up a footy like this in a game dozens of times, sometimes holding off an opponent whilst doing it. I’ve also run around my wrong foot like that too. Can I have a gig in the NFL? Yes, I can kick a ball 62m (or at least I could when I was his age).
Rellum
Roar Guru
If you actually watch most NFL tackles are just arm grabs and near useless efforts. They hit very hard with helmet hits and shoulder chargers but the actual tackling for the most part aren't big hits.
Boo
Guest
Will it now become a defensive tactics in American football ?
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Except all these people here know the hip and shoulder have only recently gone out of Aussie Rules. And picking up balls in traffic is normal. At least in American Footy you know which direction they are coming from.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Great name Popa
Ad-O
Guest
All these people frowning on NFL skills don't realise that a typical, bog standard NFL tackle would probably land you a life time suspension and a jail sentence in Australia. That's why things like passing and scooping is an ill advised low percentage play.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Come on man, it’s just a sweet play for NFL standards. The equivalent of a halfback dipping it out to the fly half, he gets charged down, and then scooting with a one handed pick up, he kicks a 50-22. Just a nice play and by an Aussie which is the sweetest thing.
Popavalium Andropoff
Guest
If the Americans think that's impressive wait till they see the best try ever from Brett Mullins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI47iqj5vLE
Rellum
Roar Guru
It still amuses me watching NFL players trying to pick a ball up in a non "risky" way by taking great big swan dives at the ball, with it nearly always squirting out to be swan dived onto be the next guy and so on. Yet Dickson does a decent pick up tat is less risky and people over there lose their minds over it.
Otsuble
Roar Rookie
The possibilities are endless. Pretend to pass ball don’t and fool opponent and make him look like a dummy. What should we call that?
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Ball carrier, about to be tackled, passes to team mate who isn't about to be tackled: Amazing!
Otsuble
Roar Rookie
Let me get this straight. In a game of football a player picked up a ball and kicked it with his foot? Unbelievable!
Woot
Roar Rookie
Same as the baseball fielder who had the temerity to catch the flyball with his bare hand... Americans still losing their minds over backyard plays haha