Super Bowl LV certainly didn’t start the way Kansas City Chiefs fans would have hoped. The Chiefs were flagged for several crucial penalties, failed to get in the endzone over their first four offensive drives, and kept the Buccaneers in good field position thanks to a series of subpar punts from Tommy Townsend.
Townsend, a 24-year-old rookie, isn’t exactly used to punting in pressure scenarios. Entering the Super Bowl, Townsend punted just once in these playoffs, and was one of the least-active punters in the league thanks to the Chiefs’ high-powered offense.
Townsend boomed a 51-yard punt on the Chiefs’ first drive, but managed just 27 yards on his second punt, and had a dangerous moment during his third attempt. Townsend dropped the snap, but was able to grab the ball and kick a 56-yarder. Unfortunately for him, the punt was negated by a penalty, and his follow-up attempt was shanked and went just 29 yards.
Tommy Townsend's punt before this, which didn't count: 56 yards
Tommy Townsend's next punt, which did: 29 yards pic.twitter.com/B26kRZqvOz
— Christian D'Andrea, sim ruiner (@TrainIsland) February 8, 2021
Unsurprisingly, fans were not impressed.
WTH!!!!! This rookie punter @Townsend looks too damn scared to be out there. What in the hell are you doing, shanking a punt that badly???
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) February 8, 2021
On one side.. the world is realizing the importance of a punter on the grandest stage.
And on the other side like… The Brand is currently taking a beating on the internet.
Kindof conflicted.. TT gonna turn it around… Right?
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 8, 2021
Damn the punter play for Tampa too don’t he my goodness 🤦🏿♂️
— Montrezl Harrell (@MONSTATREZZ) February 8, 2021
That punter's hair was longer than the punt.
— robmillertime (@robmillertime) February 8, 2021
Chiefs punter pic.twitter.com/6iM6w929gc
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 8, 2021
The Chiefs punter: pic.twitter.com/v4qgPSB533
— The Fantasy Factor (@TFF_Fantasy) February 8, 2021
Punter shook shook
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) February 8, 2021
Had legit never set eyes on the Chiefs punter until he kept kicking four-yard punts tonight
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) February 8, 2021
