Aussie NFL star Michael Dickson’s epic journey to Super Bowl stardom after brutal AFL rejection
Seattle Seahawks punter Michael Dickson is one game away from being a Super Bowl champion – and it comes after his AFL dreams were crushed as a youngster.
Dickson, 30, grew up in Sydney’s east, and was a product of the Sydney Swans Academy as a teenager.
He played alongside current Swans skipper Callum Mills and vice-captain Isaac Heeney, but after the defender was overlooked for the AFL national and rookie drafts, it was time for a new sporting adventure.
Dickson moved to Melbourne in 2015 and turned to Prokick Australia, a coaching program led by former AFL player Nathan Chapman which helps aspiring kickers and punters.
His range of kicking soon caught the eye of University of Texas scouts, who offered a scholarship with the Longhorns.
In 2018, Dickson continued his rapid rise after he inked his first professional contract with the Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks punter Michael Dickson is one game away from being a Super Bowl champion – but it comes after his AFL dreams were crushed as a youngster
Dickson grew up in Sydney’s east – and was a product of the Sydney Swans Academy alongside current vice-captain Isaac Heeney (pictured)
In 2018, Dickson inked his first professional contract with the Seahawks – and last year signed a $23million extension until 2029, making him the NFL’s highest-paid punter
Dickson’s array of kicks have made him a fan favourite – and invaluable for the Seahawks om their charge to the Super Bowl
Last year Dickson signed a $23million extension until 2029, making him the NFL’s highest-paid punter.
He also had the last laugh, with the leading AFL salary around $1.5million.
‘Michael works on his craft relentlessly. He has been with a team that has really backed him, and he has delivered,’ Chapman told The Age.
‘It’s actually a great story. He can do it all. His ability to do so many different kicks so well – spiral, high, to the right – has been next level.’
AFL legend Paul Roos coached Dickson as a junior – and the pair still remain in contact.
Roos recalled Dickson having a ‘beautiful kick’, and wasn’t surprised he was later drafted to the NFL.
‘He was a really talented (AFL) player when he was a kid, but he was small,’ the premiership-winning coach said.
Dickson hopes to emulate former South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league player Jordan Mailata, who in 2025 won the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Fellow Aussie Jesse Williams also received a ring as a member of Seattle’s 2013 squad – but he didn’t play due to injury.
The Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on February 9, with play from 10.30am AEDT.
