Sonny Bill, All Blacks mock NFL tackle as two words go viral
A tackle in American football labelled “the best in 10 years” has kicked off a viral debate, with Sonny Bill Williams making his feelings clear.
Sonny Bill Williams has led a chorus of derision for an NFL tackle proclaimed “the best in 10 years”.
Tackling, along with other aspects like rule differences and protective equipment, is often a source of friendly banter between fans of the NRL, rugby union and American football.
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While the behemoth NFL dominates the sporting landscape in the US, supporters of the other tackle football codes often point to their helmets, enormous shoulder pads and Lycra uniforms as evidence it is “soft” compared to league or union.
We wouldn’t say that to Jordan Mailata’s face, just quietly, but the debate will surely roll on forever.
So a wildly enthusiastic call from commentator and ex-NFL star Cris Collinsworth during Kansas City’s 20-10 loss to the Texans last Monday (AEDT) kicked off a viral debate.
Watch the tackle in the video player above
After Houston’s Jaylin Noel ran with the ball in the second half, the Chiefs’ Jaylen Watson lined him up and landed a hip-and-shoulder tackle, driving the Texan over the sideline.
Enter Collinsworth, who is beloved and sometimes ribbed for his gushing calls during games.
“That may be the best form tackle I’ve seen in 10 years,” he said.
“Arms wrapped up, lift him off the ground, drive him backwards on third down and short, gotta get off the field.
“Look at that! This has been one fantastic second half of defensive football.”
A tweet from the NFL’s official account has been viewed more than two million times and has over 500 comments.
Tech heavyweight and rugby fan Steven Dickens has the first comment on the NFL post and echoed the thoughts of many when he replied: “Happens every game in rugby.”
Dickens received some replies of his own, including “without the fancy costumes” and “correct – 20 times every game”.
Northern Irish author Stephen Black stated: “It’s a standard rugby tackle. Nothing special.”
Andres Stein answered: “It is special in the NFL. They are awful tacklers by comparison with rugby players.”
Sports doctor James Noake offered: “A bang average tackle still wearing helmet and pads. Slow clap.”
Some of the accounts that have been retweeting and commenting on the NFL hit is where this gets particularly interesting.
The All Blacks’ official X account retweeted the post along with a photo of a crunching tackle against the Wallabies with the caption: “Wait until bro discovers Rugby …”
Williams, a two-time World Cup winner with those All Blacks, also got in on the fun, summing up his feelings with two words: “That’s cute.”
Sonny Bill’s post has also gone viral, with almost 9000 likes and 150 comments, including the standard response from journalist Amir Mizroch: “Just your average regular rugby tackle.”
X account @johnsemalhuis wrote: “Adorable. And the whole game stops so they can celebrate a tackle that my U12 girls and boys made 10x a game.
Stereo Incognito said: “That is the first “almost a tackle” I’ve seen in that sport, that is mostly sumo pushing, spandex and constant stoppages.”
Another wrote: “They have never watched rugby – even at schoolboy level.”
A few X users attempted to push back on Williams’ jibe.
Aaron Grove replied: “Bill you should come to the US and try out for an NFL team to see how cute it is.”
NFLBallKnower declared: “Come play in the NFL lol you’d get run pal.”
Paul Coull even took a dig at the Haka, writing: “Nearly as cute as your little dance before games.”
The fact remains these types of hits are common on rugby and NRL fields at just about all levels, male and female.
Just don’t try to explain that to an American.
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Originally published as Sonny Bill, All Blacks mock NFL tackle as two words go viral
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