GOAT: Deep Snapper

Let's face it, in terms of special teams, the deep snapper is incredibly important.

Some of them, at least one of them, sells insurance during the week before heading to the stadium to get suited up for the game.

And, not to get all wonky, but the quicker the deep snapper gets the ball back to the punter, that allows the punt return team less time to setup and block.

That saves touchdowns scored and gives teams wins.

So, here's to you deep snapper, you get to be a normal sized American, not all hopped up on the HGH to maintain muscle mass and you lessen your concussion risk because you see the field so little.

So who is the GOAT: Deep Snapper?

All of them.

 

Linda Lovelace

 

Many college teams have separate long snappers (for punts) and middle snappers (for place kicks).

 

Ryan Pontbriand was the answer among active players for awhile and then he got the yips and his career was done. He had a nice run for about a decade with the Browns though.

 

The DeOssie's are the first family of long snapping.

 

Trey Junkin, before he took the blame for the Giants blowing a 24-point second-half lead in the playoffs.

 

I remember talking to Zak at the combine. Nice, smart kid...

 

Some of these guys are tremendously skilled. I remember years ago the long snapper for one of the NFL teams I used to cover would kill time during practice by snapping the ball 30-35 yards to the punter. And he wasn't bouncing the ball up there or throwing high-arching rainbows -- they were frozen ropes. He and the punter used to swear that he could snap the ball so the laces would always be up when the punter caught it.

 

Dave Binn, 18-years in the NFL as a long snapper - and he also dated Pamela Anderson (don't know if this helps or hurts)

 

Did a story years ago on a long snapper. Very fun to write.
Dude could knock a beer can off a tree stump with ease, repeatedly.
It must be cool when your work requires you to see the world upside down at all times.

 

I remember reading an SI story about the Cowboys long snapper during their Super Bowl run; they were busting Aikman's chops about throwing footballs through a taxi cab window on Letterman so he started snapping the ball through open car windows driving thru the parking lot before a practice or something.

 

If there is one position to be in any professional sport, this is it.

I don't have the time to look it up, but what would a long snapper make who was a 10-year vet on the league minimum and what would their retirement look like from the NFL?