Australian punter Michael Dickson stands on the cusp of NFL history, with a chance to become only the second Australian to play in a Super Bowl victory. Dickson played a pivotal role in the Seattle Seahawks' dramatic 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game on Sunday night, which was Monday Australian Eastern Daylight Time.
Dickson's Path to Super Bowl Glory
The Sydney-born 30-year-old will feature in the Super Bowl at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, which is February 9 AEDT. Dickson hopes to join Jordan Mailata as Australians who have played in a Super Bowl triumph. Mailata earned a coveted Super Bowl ring with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, marking a significant milestone for Australian athletes in American football.
Another Australian, Jesse Williams, possesses a Super Bowl ring from being on the Seattle Seahawks' roster during their 2014 victory. However, Williams did not play during that season due to a knee injury, highlighting the distinction between being part of a team and actively contributing on the field.
Key Moment in Championship Victory
Dickson's performance was crucial in the Seahawks' tense victory. With Seattle leading 17-13 in the third quarter at Lumen Field, Dickson launched a 55-yard punt that proved too challenging for Los Angeles' Xavier Smith to handle. Smith stumbled and fell under the high ball, failing to secure it, which resulted in a special teams turnover.
From this turnover, the Seahawks scored a touchdown on the very next play, creating a 10-point buffer that they maintained for the rest of the game. Dickson punted five times in total, accumulating 226 yards and demonstrating his reliability under pressure.
Australian Punters in Super Bowl History
Dickson's opportunity follows in the footsteps of several Australian punters who have reached the Super Bowl but fell short of victory. Ben Graham with the Arizona Cardinals in 2009, Mitch Wishnowsky with the San Francisco 49ers in 2020, and Arryn Siposs with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023 all experienced Super Bowl losses, underscoring the rarity of an Australian winning the championship.
Heartbreak for Fellow Australian Jeremy Crawshaw
In contrast to Dickson's success, fellow Australian punter Jeremy Crawshaw's Super Bowl hopes were dashed. His Denver Broncos were narrowly defeated 10-7 by the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game. This loss concludes a standout rookie season for Crawshaw, a 24-year-old from Penrith who initially played rugby league and Australian Rules football before transitioning to the NFL.
Crawshaw's Impressive Rookie Campaign
Crawshaw was signed by the Denver Broncos with a sixth-round pick in last year's NFL draft and quickly became a mainstay for the team. His performances earned him a berth in the All Rookie Team selected by the Pro Football Writers of America, a testament to his impact in his debut season.
Even in the championship game loss, Crawshaw continued his strong form, punting six times for 309 yards, with his longest kick measuring an impressive 60 yards. Despite his individual efforts, the Broncos, missing injured star quarterback Bo Nix, were unable to contain New England quarterback Drake Maye.
Patriots' Gritty Victory
The game, played at Denver's Empower Field at Mile High in Colorado, saw scores locked at 7-7 at halftime under cold but clear conditions. A snowstorm and strong winds then swept in, hampering both teams' offensive strategies. Patriots kicker Andres Borregales, who is Venezuelan-born, secured the only score of the second half with a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter.
Drake Maye led the Patriots with 68 rushing yards and 86 passing yards in the sloppy conditions, scoring New England's sole touchdown. This victory made the Patriots just the third team in the Super Bowl era to win a conference championship game with 10 points or less, highlighting their defensive resilience.
"I'm just proud of this team," Maye said after the game. "Don't have many words, just thankful for this team; love each and every one of them. It took everybody."
As Dickson prepares for the Super Bowl spotlight, Australian fans will be watching closely, hoping he can break the trend and secure a historic win for his country in the world's biggest football game.
