Michael Dickson is undeniably one of the most entertaining punters to watch in the NFL.
“Dickson went undrafted by Aussie rules teams in 2014 and then started thinking about trying to become what they call a “gridiron punter” like Sav Rocca. He knew he had one of the strongest legs in the academy, so he went online and found a program that teaches Australians to punt and kick NFL style—Prokick Australia.”
Born in Sydney, Dickson first played soccer in his youth before switching to Australian rules football at the age of 9.
He is now entering his fifth season in the league with the Seattle Seahawks. In the entirety of Dickson’s career, he has averaged oveer 45 yards per punt.
Dickson was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round, 149th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft. Here’s what makes him the best to do it.
What makes him the #1 punter?
Along with making the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2018, Dickson has become an ace when it comes to punting inside the 20-yard line. He did it 40 times last season which was the most in the NFL.
Pinning teams inside the 20-yard line makes it challenging for opposing offenses to drive the ball the entire length of the field. Opposing returners only averaged 7.3 yards per return against the Seahawks, the lowest in the league.
Here are some of his biggest accomplishments as a punter:
- First-team All-Pro (2018)
- Pro Bowl (2018)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2018)
- Texas Bowl MVP (2017)
- 2017 Ray Guy Award
- 2017 All-American
- 2017 GPR Punt Rating national leader, 99.13
- Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year (2016, 2017)
The famous “Double-Punt” vs. The Rams in Week 5 of 2021
In Week, 5 of 2021, Michael Dickson stunned fans from all over the world. To watch Dickson’s amazing double-punt, click here.
NBC Sports’ Peter King couldn’t help but write about the play in his “Football Morning in America” column on Monday.
“I’ve covered the NFL since 1984,” King wrote. “I’ve never seen a punt — nor a special-teams play — as incredible as the Michael Dickson double-punt in the Rams-Seahawks game Thursday night.”
Double punt dots!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/uGHOUII3mK
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) October 8, 2021
Rams special-teamer Jamir Jones broke through the line to block Dickson’s punt attempt, with the ball spinning to Dickson’s left. He picked up the ball, run up near the line of scrimmage and booted the football.
It was one of the most entertaining plays in special teams history.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the NFL, we don’t think of punters too often. They’re unsung heroes who take part in a thankless job. If you don’t screw up, you’re doing your job.
Michael Dickson is going above and beyond his job and that’s why he ranks as the NFL’s best punter. The next time the Seahawks go on 4th down, pay attention because odds are, something interesting is going to happen.
