The most sensational kick on the NFL’s opening weekend wasn’t made by a kicker, but by a punt returner to a punter. In trying to hurdle Steelers Browns punter Spencer Lanning, Steelers return man Antonio Brown ended up delivering a Chuck Norris-style flying front kick instead.
Brown would no doubt have preferred to clear Lanning altogether as it would have almost certainly resulted in a quick six.
Wait, wait, wait…
When did this happen?!? pic.twitter.com/SzU9wDVx23
— Spencer Lanning (@LanningSpencer) September 7, 2014
Lanning managed to keep a sense of humor over the incident even as Cleveland dropped a close one to their rust-belt rivals.
WRONG KIND OF FOOTBALL
Meanwhile, over in East Rutherford, Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew pioneered the foot fumble with a Pelé-inspired bicycle kick. He booted the ball back to QB Derek Carr after being flung to the ground by a Jets defender.
GIF: #Raiders RB Maurice Jones-Drew somehow punts a fumble back to QB Derek Carr http://t.co/knV8NmOcWz pic.twitter.com/AMHsNCScnq
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 7, 2014
Remarkably, Carr caught Jones-Drew’s kick on the fly. Had he been slightly more opportunistic, he may have found a receiver open downfield. Well, there’s always the next time…
TROMBONIST BE GONE
Finally, down in Tampa, Panthers kicker Graham Gano wanted to get in a last practice kick before the second half commenced. He got all huffy as the marching band was still performing on the field, and shoved trombone player Marquel Ballard to clear space.
Awesome scene at half. Band on field late, Gano tries to kick in middle of band during number … pic.twitter.com/syUYcrfQYg
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 7, 2014
It’s unclear if the extra bit of practice paid off for Gano — he missed his first field goal of the second half as it sailed wide right from 48 yards out. He got a measure of redemption with 28 seconds left in the game when he connected from 33 yards, helping the Panthers to a 20-14 win over the Buccaneers.
Gano made nice with Ballard on Monday by inviting the Bethune-Cookman freshman to attend the Panthers – Falcons game in December. He also tweeted a multi-part semi-apology.
(1/4) I just spoke with my friend Marquel Ballard from Bethune-Cookmans marching band and all is forgiven!
— Graham Gano (@GrahamGano) September 8, 2014
(2/4)We both laughed off the incident when the band came onto the field as I was kicking and he understood that we were both doing our jobs.
— Graham Gano (@GrahamGano) September 8, 2014
(3/4)He is an extremely talented trombonist who never skipped a beat yesterday which was very impressive! Since he's an @Atlanta_Falcons …
— Graham Gano (@GrahamGano) September 8, 2014
(4/4)…fan, I have offered him two tickets and field passes for our game in Atlanta.
— Graham Gano (@GrahamGano) September 8, 2014
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