Long-time Lion Jason Hanson announced his retirement from the team this past week. With 21 seasons in the books Hanson is the third-highest point scorer in NFL history. His replacement, Havard Rugland, has no NFL experience and makes his living making field goals on the Internet.
The mastermind that brought YouTube audiences a video entitled “Kickalicious,” is now hopefully going to wowing fans that pack Detroit’s Ford Field. The video features a wide array of jaw-dropping kicks that features Rugland’s powerful leg and pinpoint accuracy.
Rugland, 28, is a Norway native and will do battle with David Akers as Hanson’s replacement.
Former NFL kicker Michael Husted has trained the Norwegian kicking sensation and compares Rugland to Sebastian Janikowski of the Oakland Raiders.
“Havard has incredible talent as a kicker,” Husted told the Seattle Post-Intelligence in December. “He has a cannon for a leg. As he continues to refine his technique, he could be one of the strongest kickers in the NFL.”
“Kickalicious” has been viewed on YouTube over 3 million times. I highly doubt he will ever be asked to drop kick a 50-yard field goal, but he might be called on to hit a deep game-winner as time expires. It will be interesting to see how a guy with no football experience can adapt to kicking in pads and a helmet with players flying at him.
One thing is certain; Rugland has big shoes to fill should he beat Akers in a kick-off during camp.
