‘Greatest punt ever’: America wowed by Aussie NFL star Michael Dickson’s rare play

Former AFL player turned NFL punter Michael Dickson has wowed American football fans with a miraculous play.

Aussie NFL star Michael Dickson has dusted off his AFL skills to pull off a play that left American football fans stunned.

In the third quarter of the Seattle Seahawks’ clash with the Los Angeles Rams, Dickson pulled off a rare double punt that prevented what would have been a crucial momentum swing.

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The Seahawks were down nine points when Dickson’s punt was blocked by Rams outside linebacker Jamir Jones.

Undeterred, the Aussie was first to the loose ball, which he picked up on the run one-handed before punting again. This time, he managed to boot the ball 68 yards (62 metres) to the Rams’ 11-yard line.

This Michael Dickson punt was WILD! The pick-up, the scramble, the kick! 🤩🤩🤩

Watch the NFL on ESPN pic.twitter.com/6siTz78kpA

— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) October 8, 2021

Dickson played for the Swans’ NEAFL side before he was picked up by a college football scout, and pundits were quick to point out that the quick-thinking, skilful play wouldn’t have looked out of place on an Aussie rules field.

Elite one handed pick up, switches over to the left as if he’s rolling off half back, back to the right for a 60 yard BOMB of a snap with bodies everywhere around him 😍

Exhibit A for why every punter in the NFL should be Aussie 🇦🇺 https://t.co/xYehlwencF

— Tom Doedee (@TDoedee31) October 8, 2021

That double-punt by Michael Dickson was Sydney Swans-approved. #AFL#Seahawks

— *Chris Fetters (@Chris_Fetters) October 8, 2021

Do we think Dickson knew the rule or that was just some Aussie Rules instincts kicking in?

— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) October 8, 2021

Get your pizza from Italy, your cigars from Cuba and your punters from Australia 🙏🏻 (No offence ‘Merica, but Michael Dickson did something pretty spesh that was 100% from the Aussie Rules upbringing) https://t.co/kEvrmCfzvA

— Melanie Dinjaski (@MelanieDinjaski) October 8, 2021

While Dickson’s play won plenty of admirers, some viewers questioned whether the double punt was a legal play.

According to the NFL’s 2021 rule book, though, “a second kick from behind the line of scrimmage is legal provided the ball has not crossed the line”. Because the ball didn’t cross the line off Jones’ block, Dickson’s miraculous punt did not breach any rules.

American fans were especially impressed by Dickson’s ability to pick the ball up without fumbling, which could have given the Rams possession.

In #LARvsSEA, the punt was blocked and recovered by the kicking team. The punter kicks the ball again from behind the line of scrimmage. This is a legal kick and the result of the play was the ball was ruled down at the 11 yard line. pic.twitter.com/saAYrCKlzp

— NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) October 8, 2021

k so we got a Jamir Jones Splash play, a **double punt**, an Aussie who can pull off the *running punt* thing..

but honesty, despite ALL that, the most impressive part about the whole sequence was Dickson PICKING UP A SPINNING BALL OFF THE GROUND WHILE ON THE RUN

incredible!

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) October 8, 2021

I mean, Michael Dickson picked up a ball spinning like a top with one hand then punted a blocked punt 68 yards.

Think about that.#Seahawks

— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) October 8, 2021

Insane #SpecialTeams play by Michael Dickson, but the smooth scoop was by far the most impressive part.
pic.twitter.com/xR4Kb9Jtpa

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) October 8, 2021

What a play by Dickson! To recover the blocked punt, run and still boom it inside the 20. Is that the greatest punt ever?

— Brandon Naidus (@bnaidus27) October 8, 2021

In his post-match press conference, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll called the play “one of the great kicking plays in the history of the league”.

“I’ve seen a lot of football and I’ve never seen that happen before,” he said.

“What a remarkable play it was. Not just to kick it but to kick it where he kicked it and to get so much out of it.

“Mikey’s a pretty darn good football player.

“The scoop was ridiculous.

“That was marvellous play that we witnessed.

Emmaunel Acho, a former linebacker who attended the same college as Dickson, tweeted: “Michael Dickson is the GOAT. My dude kept his cool, scooped up the ball with 1 hand and BOOTED it 68 yards!”

Dickson’s play wasn’t enough to secure a win for the Seahawks, who went down 26-17 to continue their lukewarm start to 2021.

The Seahawks finished the 2020 season as one of four NFC division leaders but have won only two of their first five games this year.