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Australian punter Michael Dickson breaks into NFL after dethroning Seattle Seahawks champion

A SEATTLE Seahawks legend has been cut for a former Sydney Swans Academy member as another Aussie cracked the NFL.

Andrew McMurtry
2 min read
August 21, 2018 - 1:40PM
The former University of Texas alum will be the Seattle Seahawks only punter.
The former University of Texas alum will be the Seattle Seahawks only punter.

AUSTRALIA’S newest NFL star has already made waves after dethroning the Seattle Seahawks’ longest-tenured player.

Long-time Seahawks punter Jon Ryan was released by the side as Seattle instead opted for 22-year-old Sydney-born Michael Dickson.

The side were so impressed by the young Aussie, who shattered several punting records for the University of Texas last year, it traded up to take Dickson in the fifth round.

Dickson has had a standout pre-season and leads all NFL punters with an average of 51.7 yards per punt.

The Aussie stands at 191cm and 93kg and won last years’ Ray Guy Award as the best college punter.

He signed a four-year, $3.6 million contract, compared to the Ryan’s two-year, $7.6 million deal.

Dickson was a former Sydney Swans Academy member but, in 2015, moved to Melbourne to trial with Prokick Australia.

Dickson has continued his impressive College form into the NFL preseason.
Dickson has continued his impressive College form into the NFL preseason.

Prokick Australia has helped NFL punters like the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Jordan Berry and recently released former New York Giants punter Brad Wing break into the gridiron world.

As the only punter left on the Seahawks’ roster, Dickson will be the side’s new starting kicker.

In a classy gesture, Dickson farewelled Ryan on Twitter.

The pair have had a strong relationship despite being in direct competition with each other with Seahawks coach Pete Carroll discussing the pair in training camp last week.

“He has taken to the competition by showing the classy guy that he is, and he’s helping Michael wherever he can and talks situations with him,” Carroll said.

“Works to support him, he’s helped him with his holding and all that stuff that Michael didn’t have a lot of experience at. He has been a consummate pro and he knows that he’s in a big battle.”

Ryan had been Seattle’s punter for the past decade, including during the franchise’s Super Bowl victory in 2013, but lost a head-to-head battle with Dickson after two pre-season matches.

Ryan sent out a message to Seahawks fans via Twitter.

“It’s been an absolute honour and privilege to play in this great city of Seattle for the past 10 years. I never wanted this day to come, but knew it would some day. Even though I’m leaving, I will always been a Seahawk,” he wrote.

“I have so many amazing memories over the past decade — from our Super Bowl 48 victory, to throwing a touchdown pass in the NFC Championship, to breaking the record of how many times a person could say ‘b***hole’ in one radio interview — it’s been an amazing ride.

“I want to thank all of my teammates over the years, Paul Allen, John Schneider, Matt Thomas and Peter McLoughlin, the amazing coaches I’ve had here: Mike Holmgren, Jim Mora Jr. and Pete Carroll, and the entire support staff at 12 Seahawks Way. But more than anything I want to thank the 12’s. You embraced a pale skinned, red headed Canadian with a speech impediment and made him feel like a super star. I will forever be grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you Seattle.”

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and CEO Peter McLoughlin also took to Twitter to thank the longstanding punter.

Dickson should make his regular season NFL debut for the Seahawks on September 9 against the Denver Broncos.

— with Peter Mitchell, AAP

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/american-sports/nfl/australian-punter-michael-dickson-breaks-into-nfl-after-dethroning-seattle-seahawks-champion/news-story/89b171fdee1d5cf37f9cda280a2389e6