Remember a couple of years ago when Invincible came out and everyone and their brother thought they could be good enough to play for an NFL team? Well we all know that NFL players are some of the toughest guys in the world, and when you and your brother realized that you grabbed another beer and sat on the couch while waiting for the 4:00 o’clock game. But for anyone that really thinks they can handle the gridiron, there are two positions that require less “toughness” than others; kickers and punters. I mean, anyone can practice kicking a ball right? At least that’s what I thought before I saw 28-year-old Havard Rugland, known more commonly by his fruity YouTube username, “Kickaliscious.” This guy is crazy; I can’t even explain the things he can do with that golden leg of his, and clearly he caught the attention of the NFL as his video (over 3 million hits) lead to a contact being offered to him from the Detroit Lions.

I’ll give you some time to clean the shit out of your pants… Good? The best part about this video is, just like me and you, all the NFL scouts needed was to see the video to realize this guy was the real deal. In fact, before Rugland ever even worked out for the Lions, he received a call from the New York Jets to try out for the their team (The Jets probably thought Rugland could kick the ball more accurately than Mark Sanchez can throw it). It wasn’t until the Jets decided not to sign Rugland that the Lions became familiar with the popular Norwegian YouTube sensation.

In classic Jim Schwartz form, the Detroit Lions head coach commented on finding the diamond in the rough kicker. After being asked how they found the kicker, Schwartz replied by saying “Same way you guys did.” referring to the kicker’s YouTube video. But in all honesty, I admire that he didn’t come up with some smart, money ball, bullshit response. And if Rugland finds success on one of the better teams in the NFL, there better be 31 other coaches that are kicking themselves in the dick for not seeing the talent that was LITERALLY right in front of their face. Truthfully, 31 NFL owners should already be kicking themselves for not signing a very marketable and popular player to their team. If they guy is instantly a starter or if he never plays a down in his life. People will go crazy hearing about success stories and great YouTube videos. And when you combine the two together, people instantly fall in love with the story.

And as far as success stories go, regardless of Havard’s future in the NFL, this guy is successful. All he had to do was shoot a video of himself doing what he’s good at and now he makes at least a quarter-of-a-million dollars (league minimum). And although I don’t know the man personally, playing in the NFL has got to beat shoveling snow or living in blocs or whatever the fuck it is that Norwegians do.

Alex Deremer

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