US loses it as son of 400-game AFL legend lays massive hit in college football game
Mason Fletcher, the son of Essendon legend Dustin, turned heads in the States with a massive hit during a college football game.
The son of 400-game Essendon legend Dustin Fletcher has turned heads in the United States after a physical play in a college football game.
Mason Fletcher, a promising punter for the University of Cincinnati, booted the ball to the opposition West Virginia during their matchup on Sunday morning (AEDT), and the Mountaineers’ punt returner made solid ground on his return.
Watch an average of 3 games each week during the regular season, plus every game of the NFL Postseason including the Super Bowl, LIVE on ESPN with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
However, he was stopped in his tracks by Fletcher, who committed a brutal — but fair — hit to ensure the Bearcats didn’t concede a score, and it wasn’t lost on the viewers.
“Fletcher making the tackle on the outside — these Australian guys, they play that Australian Rules football, right?” the broadcast said.
“(It’s) pretty much like punting the ball to each other, (so) they all become really good punters — it’s a physical sport.”
The Bearcats ultimately lost 31-24 to the Mountaineers, falling to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
Fletcher thanked Cincinnati supporters after the game, posting to X: “Best fans in the country. Can never thank this city enough for what it’s done for me.”
A college senior this year, Fletcher has launched 29 punts in his final college football season, for an average length of 45.3 yards and a season-long of 62 yards.
In May 2020, Fletcher accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Cincinnati after previously passing up the 2019 AFL national draft, having formerly played with the Calder Cannons.
In 2022, Fletcher set Bearcats and American Athletic Conference all-time records with a staggering 84-yard punt — he finished as a First Team AAC member.
This year, he was joined at the University of Cincinnati by younger brother Max, who had previously punted with Arkansas.
Unsurprisingly, playing behind Mason, the younger Fletcher hasn’t punted in a Bearcats game this year following a pair of seasons with the Razorbacks. His longest 2023 punt travelled 71 yards.
Albeit with Mason seemingly set to try his luck in the NFL next year, the road to a starting job in Cincinnati is being paved for Max.
Originally published as US loses it as son of 400-game AFL legend lays massive hit in college football game
Viral trick play sends America into meltdown
The internet has gone into meltdown with one of the most outrageous touchdown plays you simply have to see to believe.
Once-in-50-year NFL play stuns America
The Chargers dusted off the rule book and made the most of a play not seen in the NFL in 48 years during their game against the Broncos.
Has a massive injury opened the door for a new Super Bowl favourite?
With three weeks left in the NFL season, there’s a new Super Bowl favourite: with a longtime nemesis injured, can it turn around years and years of losing?