This KC Chiefs’ special teams player earned a league award for his effort in Week 9
Punter Tommy Townsend played an essential role in the Chiefs’ 13-7 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Now, he’s received league recognition for his effort in Week 9.
Townsend is the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, the NFL announced Wednesday morning.
The Chiefs’ second-year pro totaled six punts for 341 yards, averaging a healthy 56.8 yards per attempt (54.3 net), against the Packers. Five of the punts were placed inside the Packers’ 20-yard line, pinning Green Bay deep in its own territory to help flip field position.
“Tommy, I thought, had a real fine football game punting the ball,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday. “His average was up in the 50s. He was booming the thing and kept a long field for the Packers.”
After Sunday’s game, Townsend deflected credit to his teammates.
“None of that would have happened without my gunners on the punt team to get down there and down the ball, scoop up punts,” Townsend said. “Of course, it’s a huge team effort, I can’t pat those guys on the back enough.”
Through nine games this season, Townsend averages 48 yards on 22 punts, which includes placing 14 punts inside an opponent’s 20-yard line.
Wednesday’s announcement marked the second career AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award for Townsend, who previously garnered the recognition in Week 15 of the 2020 regular season. He is the first Chiefs punter to earn the honor twice.
He becomes the second former Florida Gators player to receive the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award this season, joining Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson, who did it in Week 1.
This story was originally published November 10, 2021 at 9:39 AM.
