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He fulfilled his dream by winning a Super Bowl ring. Now Michael Dickson is keen on celebrating with a chicken parmi and some hot chips with chicken salt.
The star Australian punter revealed his pub-dinner wishlist after becoming only the second Aussie to start and win a Super Bowl.
Michael Dickson punts the ball.Credit: Kindell Buchanan/Sipa USA
With an outstanding performance that had commentators labelling his kicking “absolute perfection”, Dickson played a crucial role in the Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 win over the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Dickson, who grew up in Sydney and was a member of the Swans academy, joined Jordan Mailata as the only Australians to have played in and won a Super Bowl (others have won rings as wider squad members).
“It means everything. It’s what we do it for,” Dickson told ESPN post-game.
“It’s a crazy game. Our guys pulled out, and I am still soaking it in.
“I have big dreams. So I knew we were going to get here and I knew we were going to get it done. And we did. So I’m very, very lucky and very happy.”
Fireworks ignite atop Levi’s Stadium after the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.Credit: AP
Asked what message he had for people watching in Australia, Dickson said he was looking forward to getting home and celebrating with some Aussie staples.
“I love my family. I love my friends. I love Australia,” he said. “I can’t wait to get home and get some chips with some chicken salt. I am craving that. And a parmi, that’d be nice.”
Like Mailata with the Philadelphia Eagles last year, Dickson was a key contributor to the Seahawks’ victory, which came via intense, suffocating pressure applied by the Seattle defence. The Patriots’ rookie Drake Maye had a rough day, after being sacked five times and turning the ball over on three other occasions.
Dickson’s punting was a key tool for Seattle to keep New England pinned in their half. On three occasions, Dickson’s punts ended up within five yards of the Patriots’ line.
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.Credit: AP
Former NFL punter Ben Graham, also an Australian, said on radio it was one of the best punting performances in Super Bowl history.
“It’s nice to know that I can play in these type of games,” Dickson told ESPN.
“If you ever feel any nerves, you just look at your guys next to you and everyone’s having fun and making plays. It’s the best feeling.”
Dickson is the highest-paid punter in NFL history after signing a four-year contract extension last year for $US16.2 million ($23.1 million).
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