Career Lengths
Although most punters have relatively short playing careers some can have exceptionally long careers, compared to other NFL position players (there is a similar phenomenon with kickers). One reason for this is that their limited time on the field and heavy protection by penalties against defensive players for late hits makes them far less likely to be injured than other positions. Sean Landeta, for instance, played 19 NFL seasons and three USFL seasons for eight different teams. Jeff Feagles of the New York Giants played 22 seasons as a punter.
Lately, teams have been turning to retired Australian rules football players to punt for them, as the proper way to score in the sport is by punting the ball through the goal posts. Darren Bennett, who played for the San Diego Chargers and Minnesota Vikings in his career, was one of the first successful AFL players to make the jump to America. Ben Graham, who entered the league with the New York Jets, became the first AFL player to play in a Super Bowl when he played in Super Bowl XLIII with the Arizona Cardinals. Graham now plays for the Detroit Lions. Other former AFL players who made the transition to NFL punters include Mat McBriar of the Dallas Cowboys and Sav Rocca of the Washington Redskins.
Read more about this topic: Punter (football)
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