Michael Dickson (American football)

Last updated

Michael Dickson
Michael Dickson (American football).jpg
Dickson with the Seahawks in 2018
No. 4 – Seattle Seahawks
Position: Punter
Personal information
Born: (1996-01-04) 4 January 1996 (age 28)
Sydney, Australia
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school: Kirrawee
(Sydney, Australia)
College: Texas (2015–2017)
NFL draft: 2018  / Round: 5 / Pick: 149
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Punts:428
Punting yards:20,525
Punting average:48.0
Longest punt:73
Inside 20:181
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Michael Dickson (born 4 January 1996) is an Australian-born American football punter for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and was selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft. Regarded as one of the best punters in the league, his career punt average of 47.7 yards per punt ranks as the highest in NFL history. [1] [2]

Contents

Early years

Born in Sydney, Dickson first played soccer in his youth before switching to Australian rules football at the age of 9. [3] In his first year of playing Australian rules football, he earned the Golden Boot award for having the best kicking. He excelled in Australian football while playing for the University of New South Wales- Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs [4] in the local Sydney AFL competition and was subsequently placed in the Sydney Swans talent academy as a teenager. [5] He continued to play for UNSW-ES and the Swans reserves [6] in the North East Australian Football League in an attempt to be drafted to a professional AFL team [7] but was overlooked at the 2014 AFL draft. [8] Dickson's Australian football career highlight occurred when he was chosen to play for the Swans in the 2014 NEAFL Grand Final. [9] The Swans were defeated by a two-point margin in the final.

In 2015, at the age of 19, he moved to Melbourne to trial with Prokick Australia, a coaching program designed to help aspiring kickers and punters cross the Pacific and crack American football. [10] Through his Prokick Australia experience, he was picked up by the University of Texas as a punter by head coach Charlie Strong. [11]

College career

Michael Dickson at Big 12 Media Day in 2017 2017-0718-Big12MD-MichaelDickson.jpg
Michael Dickson at Big 12 Media Day in 2017

In his first season with the Longhorns, Dickson had 77 punts for 3,179 net yards for a 41.3 average in 2015. [12] In the 2016 season, he had 65 punts for 3,079 net yards for a 47.4 average. [13] In 2017, Dickson won the Ray Guy Award and was a unanimous All-American. [14] Dickson was named MVP of the 2017 Texas Bowl. [15] In his junior season, he had 84 punts for 3,984 net yards for a 47.4 average. In late December 2017, it was announced that Dickson would forgo his senior year at Texas in favor of the 2018 NFL draft. [16] [17]

College statistics

YearSchoolConfClassPosGPunting
PuntsYdsAvg
2015 Texas Big 12 FRP12773,17941.3
2016 Texas Big 12 SOP12653,07947.4
2017 Texas Big 12 JRP13843,98447.4
Career Texas3722610,24245.3

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span
6 ft 2+3⁄8 in
(1.89 m)		208 lb
(94 kg)		31+1⁄4 in
(0.79 m)		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine [18]

Dickson was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round, 149th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft. [19] Dickson would go on to win the punting job, after the Seahawks released longtime veteran Jon Ryan during the preseason. [20] He made his NFL debut in the Seahawks' season opener against the Denver Broncos. In the 27–24 loss, he had six punts for 354 net yards. [21]

Dickson was named National Football Conference (NFC) Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Week 8 against the Detroit Lions. [22] With minutes remaining at fourth-and-8 from their own three-yard line, Dickson was instructed to waste time in the end zone before giving up an intentional safety. Instead, after receiving the snap, he ran it nine yards for the first down, sealing the win. [23] [24] [25] The unscripted play was later dubbed "The Aussie Sweep." [26] Dickson was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November 2018. [27]

Dickson punted the ball 78 times for 3,759 yards in the 2018 season. His average of 48.2 yards per punt ranked as the second-highest in the league. [28] In addition to punting, Dickson occasionally used the previously obscure drop kick maneuver on kickoffs for the Seahawks, both onside kicks and standard deep kicks. [29] For his efforts, Dickson was voted into the 2019 Pro Bowl, the first rookie punter to participate since Dale Hatcher in 1985. [30] In addition, Dickson was named as a first-team All-Pro. [31]

In the 2019 season, Dickson had 74 punts for 3,341 yards, an average of 45.2 yards per punt. [32]

In Week 2 of the 2020 season, against the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football , Dickson punted four times (50-yard average) with all four of them landing inside the 20-yard line during the 35–30 win. He would be named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the performance. [33] In Week 15 against the Washington Football Team, Dickson punted four times, all landing inside the 20-yard-line, earning another NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor. [34] During the 2020 season, Dickson punted 61 times for 3,028 yards, with his punting average of 49.6 yards being the second-highest in the league, and the 9th highest single-season average of all time. [35]

Dickson signed a four-year, $14.5 million contract extension with the Seahawks on 4 June 2021. [36] [37]

During Week 5 of the 2021 season, in a game against the Los Angeles Rams, Dickson initially had a punt blocked. He then chased down the football behind the line of scrimmage, picking it up with one hand, and punting it for a second time while on the run, reminiscent of Australian rules football. The punt would go for 68 yards, his longest of the season, and be downed on the Rams' 10-yard line. [38] The "double punt" received national attention due to its relative obscurity, and is considered one of the most memorable special teams plays of all time. [39] [40] [41]

Dickson punted the ball a career-high 83 times for 3,895 yards during the 2021 season, an average of 46.9 yards per punt. He pinned 40 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line, the most in the league that season, and the 10th most in a single season in NFL history. [42] [43]

In the 2022 season, Dickson punted 66 times for a 48.47 net average. [44]

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGPPunting
PuntsYdsAvgLngBlk
2018 SEA 16783,75948.2691
2019 SEA 16743,34145.1630
2020 SEA 16613,02849.6670
2021 SEA 17833,89546.9680
2022 SEA 17663,19948.5680
2023 SEA 17663,30350.0730
Career9942820,52548.0731

Postseason

YearTeamGPPunting
PuntsYdsAvgLngBlk
2018 SEA 1736051.4600
2019 SEA 2732546,4640
2020 SEA 1844655.8710
2022 SEA 1419448.5600
Career5261,32551.0710

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allen Rossum</span> American football player (born 1975)

Allen Bonshaca Lamont Rossum is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Ryan</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1981)

Jonathan Robert Ryan is a Canadian former professional football punter. He played university football for the University of Regina Rams, and began his professional career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) after being selected in the CFL Draft. He also played for the Green Bay Packers and was a member of the Seattle Seahawks for ten seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donnie Jones</span> American football player (born 1980)

Donald Scott Jones Jr. is a former American football punter. He played college football for Louisiana State University and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He also played for the Miami Dolphins, St. Louis Rams, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Chargers. With the Eagles, he won Super Bowl LII over the New England Patriots.

Kelvin Brian Martin is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1987 NFL Draft. He won Super Bowl XXVII with the Cowboys against the Buffalo Bills, giving him his only Super Bowl title. He played college football for the Boston College Eagles before playing ten seasons in the NFL from 1987 to 1996 for the Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and Philadelphia Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Morstead</span> American football player (born 1986)

Thomas James Morstead is an American football punter for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at SMU and was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Thomas</span> American football player (born 1989)

Earl Winty Thomas III is an American former professional football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and received consensus All-American honors and played in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. He left after his redshirt sophomore year and he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. During his time with the Seahawks, he made 6 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pro teams as he was a core member of the Legion of Boom defense, winning Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos and started in Super Bowl XLIX. After nine seasons with Seattle, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent and played one season while earning his 7th Pro Bowl invite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marquise Goodwin</span> American football player (born 1990)

Marquise Derell Goodwin is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He also is an Olympian who competed in the long jump in track and field. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round with the 78th pick of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randall Cobb (American football)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Randall Ladonald Cobb II is an American football wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats, earning All-American honors in 2010. Cobb was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft. He also played one season each for the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fozzy Whittaker</span> American football player (born 1989)

Foswhitt Jer'ald "Fozzy" Whittaker is an American former professional football player who was a running back and kick returner for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL), during which time he played in Super Bowl 50 with the Carolina Panthers. He also played partial seasons with the Cleveland Browns and San Diego Chargers, and was on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad for a season. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he was a 2011 first-team All-Big 12 selection, in the special teams as a kick returner, and was named an honorable mention for the 2011 All-Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year. He also played in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. He was a member of the Texas track and field team, and participated in the 2010 Big 12 Track and Field Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwayne Harris</span> American football player (born 1987)

Dwayne Lenard Harris is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Bosher</span> American football player (born 1987)

Matthew Bosher is a former American football punter. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Lockett</span> American football player (born 1992)

Tyler Deron Lockett is an American football wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats. In college, he set numerous Kansas State football records and was both a 2011 All-American and 2014 College Football All-America Team consensus All-American selection. In college, he totaled 6,586 career all-purpose yards and 35 touchdowns, including 3,710 yards and 29 touchdowns as a receiver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tavon Austin</span> American football player (born 1990)

Tavon Wesley Austin is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers, receiving first-team All-American honors twice. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Wagner</span> American football player (born 1990)

Bobby Joseph Wagner is an American football linebacker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Utah State and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. Wagner also played for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Hekker</span> American football player (born 1990)

John Robert Hekker is an American football punter for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon State and was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Hekker is a four-time First-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. He also holds the NFL record for longest punt in Super Bowl history, with a 65-yarder that he delivered in Super Bowl LIII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cordarrelle Patterson</span> American football player (born 1991)

Cordarrelle Patterson, nicknamed "Flash", is an American football player for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). A versatile utility player, he plays running back, wide receiver, return specialist, and occasionally on defense. Patterson played college football for the Hutchinson Blue Dragons before transferring to the Tennessee Volunteers, where he earned first-team All-SEC honors. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Oakland Raiders, the New England Patriots and the Chicago Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradley Pinion</span> American football player (born 1994)

Bradley Alexander Pinion is an American football punter for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitch Wishnowsky</span> Australian-born American football player (born 1992)

Mitchell Wishnowsky is an Australian-born American football punter for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah Utes, where he won the Ray Guy Award and was a unanimous All-American as a sophomore in 2016. Wishnowsky was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft by the 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Jones (running back)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Aaron LaRae Jones is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UTEP Miners and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. In seven seasons with the Packers, Jones led the league in rushing touchdowns in 2019, made the Pro Bowl in 2020, and ranks third in the team's all-time rushing yards list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashaad Penny</span> American football player (born 1996)

Rashaad Armein Penny is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs, where, in 2017, he led the nation with 2,248 rushing yards and scored 23 touchdowns on 289 carries, finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting and garnering first-team All-American and All-Mountain West honors. Penny also caught 19 passes for 135 yards and two scores and scored twice on kickoff returns, averaging 30.6 yards on 17 attempts. He also scored a 70-yard touchdown on one of his two punt returns for the year.

References

  1. ↑ "NFL Yards per Punt Career Leaders (Since 1939)". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  2. ↑ Djordjevic, Patrick (29 November 2021). "Michael Dickson has the Hall of Fame and UFOs on his mind". ESPN.com. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  3. ↑ "Michael Dickson goes from Sydney Swans Academy". Daily Telegraph. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  4. ↑ Canavan, Sam (2 September 2015). "Longhorns take a punt on Dickson". AFL NSW / ACT. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  5. ↑ Wingard, Anthony; Stedman, Myles (30 April 2018). "Former NEAFL player Michael Dickson snapped up in NFL Draft". NEAFL. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  6. ↑ "LHN All Access: Michael Dickson [Nov. 28, 2015]". Texas Longhorns. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2023– via YouTube.
  7. ↑ Whiting, Michael (5 August 2014). "AFL names academy players eligible for draft". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  8. ↑ McCullough, Ian (15 October 2018). "Australian punter Dickson thriving as an NFL revolutionary". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  9. ↑ McManus, Luke (9 January 2018). "Dickson eyes the big time". Sydney Swans. Archived from the original on 18 September 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  10. ↑ "Academy: Dickson joins Seahawks". Sydney Swans. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  11. ↑ "Australian punter Michael Dickson committed to Texas". Gridiron DownUnder. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  12. ↑ "Michael Dickson 2015 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  13. ↑ "Michael Dickson 2016 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  14. ↑ Gartland, Dan (21 December 2017). "Texas punter declares early for NFL draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  15. ↑ Moyle, Nick (28 December 2017). "Texas punter Michael Dickson named Texas Bowl MVP". Chron.com. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  16. ↑ Trotter, Jake (21 December 2017). "Horns punter Dickson declares for NFL draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  17. ↑ "Michael Dickson 2017 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  18. ↑ "Michael Dickson Combine Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  19. ↑ Boyle, John (28 April 2018). "Seahawks Draft University Of Texas Punter Michael Dickson In Fifth Round Of 2018 NFL Draft". Seahawks.com. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  20. ↑ Boyle, John (20 August 2018). "Seahawks Release Longtime Punter And Franchise Icon Jon Ryan". Seahawks.com. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  21. ↑ "Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – September 9th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  22. ↑ "2018 NFL Week 8 Leaders & Scores". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  23. ↑ Boyle, John (28 October 2018). "Aussie Sweep: How A Bold Decision By Michael Dickson Helped The Seahawks Win In Detroit". Seahawks.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  24. ↑ Bell, Gregg (8 October 2021). "Seahawks punter Michael Dickson was freelancing when he took off running for game-clinching first down at Detroit". The News Tribune. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  25. ↑ Condotta, Bob (28 October 2018). "Seahawks punter Michael Dickson earns a new nickname with unscripted run on fake punt". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  26. ↑ Patton, Andy (29 October 2018). "'Aussie sweep' was an unplanned, but 'incredibly beautiful play'". Seahawks Wire. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  27. ↑ "AFC and NFC Players of the Month – November". NFL.com. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  28. ↑ "Michael Dickson 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  29. ↑ "Michael Dickson does drop-kick kickoff and onside kick in Seahawks' loss to Bears". USA TODAY. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  30. ↑ Condotta, Bob (18 December 2018). "Seahawks Bobby Wagner and Michael Dickson voted to the Pro Bowl, seven others are alternates". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  31. ↑ "2018 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  32. ↑ "Michael Dickson 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  33. ↑ Gordon, Grant (23 September 2020). "Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, Bills QB Josh Allen among Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  34. ↑ Gordon, Grant (23 December 2020). "Bills QB Josh Allen, Cardinals QB Kyler Murray lead Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  35. ↑ "NFL Single-Season Yards per Punt Leaders Through 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  36. ↑ Boyle, John (4 June 2021). "Seahawks Sign Punter Michael Dickson To Four-Year Contract Extension". Seahawks.com. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  37. ↑ Mickanen, Dylan (4 June 2021). "Seahawks ink punter Michael Dickson to 4-year extension". NBCSports.com. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  38. ↑ Reardon, Logan (11 October 2011). "Monday Round-Up: Michael Dickson's Double-Punt Goes Down As 'Play Of A Lifetime'". Seahawks.com. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  39. ↑ Douglas, Stephen (8 October 2021). "Michael Dickson's Double-Punt Was One of the Best Plays Ever". The Big Lead. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  40. ↑ "The NFL's Play of the Year Might Just be the Double Punt from Seattle's Michael Dickson". CBS News . 8 October 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  41. ↑ Curtis, Charles (8 October 2021). "Michael Dickson's double-punt is one of the greatest plays in NFL history. Yes, really!". For The Win. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  42. ↑ "Michael Dickson 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  43. ↑ "NFL Single Season Leaders – Punting Inside-20 (since 1976)". The Football Database. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  44. ↑ "Michael Dickson 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.