As I sit down this morning (remember, football starts at 10am on the West Coast) to watch some NFL football action, I disappointed by the lack of charismatic peripheral players in the league. As a child I remember tuning in not only for the superstars, but also for the colorful characters that were minor contributors at best: Brian Bosworth, The Fridge, Merton Hanks’ neck, Kenneth Gant’s pre-kickoff antics, The Hogs and The Smurfs, Ickey Woods, etc.
But the guy that always brightened my Sunday and made Dolphin games bearable was none other than the most intimidating punter that ever lived: Reggie Roby.
During the 80′s and 90′s black QB’s were rare, but black punters still are an anomoly, especially those that are 6’4″ and weigh 250lbs like Roby. The one bar facemask (with moustache) only adds to his legend. While I can’t ever remember him making a tackle, I’m fairly sure he never worried about it as he alwayd kicked the ball far enough that tackling was never on his radar. He invented the hang time clock or at least made it’s use practical. Plus he was certifiably bad-ass so I imagine return men avoided him, since nobody wants to get lit up by a punter… even when they’re yoked like ol’ Reggie.
Every single time he came on to punt, people took notice. He’s the first man to make punting anything more than an afterthought. He also inspired the exact same four comments from people watching the game:
1) “Man, that’s a HUGE punter.”
2) “Wow, he really got ahold of that one. What’s the hang time?”
3) “Why aren’t there more black punters?”
4) “He sure is a good-lookin’ man.” (Maybe that was just my Mom)
Sadly Reggie Roby passed away a few years ago, leaving a lasting impression on a generation of football fans and a Hall of Fame legacy. But whenever you see a big punter jog onto the field or the hang time clock pop-up in the corner, make sure you educate the kids about the wonders of Roby and an era when even the supporting players were interesting.
Wait…
You’re a Phins fan?
Nope. Just a Reggie Roby fan.
Let’s not forget the wrist watch he always checked after he kicked the ball.
As a lifetime Dolphins fan, I want to thank you for bringing a smile to my face in a year where the Fish haven’t been able to do that for me…We miss you Reggie Roby!
P.S. Reggie Roby would have kicked to Devin Hester…and then he would have knocked his f*ckin head off during the return!