11 Best Long Snappers of All Time

Imagine having a job where you are successful only if you get little recognition. Many of us may relate. The position of the NFL specialty player called the long snapper fits this criteria to a tee.

While “playmakers” such as quarterbacks and wide receivers steal the spotlight, the NFL’s hidden gem often goes unnoticed. This specialist, responsible for snapping the ball accurately and consistently to the punter or holder, plays a crucial yet frequently underappreciated role in the game’s flow.

Unlike other positions, an NFL long snapper’s success lies not in statistics or highlight-reel plays but in flawless execution. A perfect snap, delivered with precision and timing, is crucial for punts, field goals, and extra points. A single errant snap can have disastrous consequences, stalling drives, creating turnovers, and costing teams precious points.

The long snapper’s value extends beyond technical expertise. They must possess exceptional mental fortitude, remain calm under pressure, and perform flawlessly amidst the crowd’s roar. They must also be versatile, adapting to different formations and snap counts to meet the demands of various plays.

While the spotlight rarely shines on them, long snappers are the silent heroes of the gridiron. Their dedication, precision, and pressure-proof mentality are essential ingredients in any successful football team. They are the cornerstone of special teams, ensuring smooth execution and laying the foundation for crucial scoring opportunities.

In this article, we will highlight some of the standouts of these unsung gridiron heroes.

Where The Specialty of Long Snappers Started

Before we can get to who the best long snappers in NFL history are, let’s take a quick look at the history of the position. Before the AFL-NFL Merger in 1970, there was nothing special about the position. When it was time for an offense to kick for points or punt, the guys who played center on every other offensive play snapped the ball back.

Many credit Washington Coach George Allen for being the first to designate a particular player to come in and make these critical longer snaps back to a holder or a punter. Allen’s appointment of a roster spot to George Burman in 1971 set a trend, so every NFL team now follows that.

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Burman started being this utility player a year earlier when he and Coach Allen were with the Los Angeles Rams. Allen, recognizing Burman’s exceptional talent and the need to have the task done right, prompted the coach to bring the veteran lineman with him when he moved to become the head coach in D.C.

Other Early LS Pioneers to Recognize

As with most things in life, some set the trend. We already know that Mr. Burman is the first player to be considered a long-snapper in the NFL, but there were some other early pioneers of the position.

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The Kansas City Chiefs were the first team to expend a draft pick on a specialty snapper in the 1981 NFL Draft when they selected Todd Thomas from North Dakota in the fifth round at the 124th overall pick. Thomas served as the special teams center in 1981, but alas, he was not on the roster of any NFL team the following season.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers took a chance on a kid from Pittsburg State with the 291st selection in the 1992 NFL Draft. The choice of Kendall Gammons was fruitful as Gammons served as the long snapper of the Steelers, Saints, and Chiefs special teams units from 1992 through 2006, in a career that saw him play in 234 games. In 2004, Gammons was the first recorded long snapper selected for the NFL Pro Bowl.

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 The first guy ever to be explicitly chosen as a long snapper in the NFL Draft was Patrick Mannelly. Patrick embraced the position he played for the Bears from 1998, when he was drafted through the 2013 season. Mannelly helped start an award for the best long snapper in college, and that trophy now bears his name.

The Most Enduring Long Snapper

An excellent place to look is at the players who performed the most extended snaps in a row on special teams the most in NFL history. There are a few that deserve recognition for this.

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This man has performed the task the most of any player without missing an opportunity we could find. Ott’s excellent snap count of 863 snaps so far is the top of the charts. Tyler started performing the task in 2016 when he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks. In 2023, Ott was listed as the LS for the Baltimore Ravens.

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Scales also has a boatload of snaps as the special teams hiker of the ball. Patrick started his specialty career in 2016 as a member of the Ravens, but in 2017, he took his services to the Chicago Bears, where he has served as the long snapper, logging an impressive 768 snaps.

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LS Rick Lovato is also in the 700 clubs of special teams snaps of launching the pigskin backward between his legs. Rick has performed 792 of these plays in NFL games with a career that has seen him suit up for Green Bay, Philadelphia, and Washington.

Most Recognition as a Long Snapper

In 2020, the NFL made the position of long snapper one that the fans could vote on. The tradition of taking these special teams aces to the game to honor the best at each NFL position started in 2004.

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The NFC Pro Bowl squad in 2004 included long snapper Brian Jennings of the San Francisco 49ers on its roster. Jennings and the earlier mentioned Gammons (AFC) were the first in their position to make the prestigious end-of-year Pro Bowl teams. Jennings, thus far, is only one of a few who has made the Pro Bowl as an LS more than once when he repeated the feat in 2011.

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Cox was a special teams center five times as a member of the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans. Cox also wears the recognition of earning All-Pro status in 2022 as a long snapping specialist. Morgan has earned his NFL long-snapper salary.

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Another who has seen multiple Pro Bowls as the special teams snapper is Jon Dorenbos, who has played the position with the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Philadelphia Eagles. Dorenbos made the Pro Bowl in 2009 and 2014.

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Most recently, Andrew DePaola of the Minnesota Vikings made it to his second consecutive Pro Bowl game. Andrew may be considered the best long-snapper in the NFL with this honor. DePaola even won the Snap Shots challenge, where he had to compete by snapping the ball through set targets to help the NFC squad with the 2024 Pro Bowl games.

Conclusion

The success of these men and others has spiraled how much a long snapper makes in the NFL. This number, often much more than the veteran minimum for the League, will only climb higher.

While the spotlight rarely shines on them, long snappers are the silent guardians of special teams, ensuring the smooth execution of punts, field goals, and extra points. From their intricate footwork to their laser-like throws, they demonstrate a unique skillset demanding precision, dedication, and unwavering focus. Though often overlooked, the long snapper’s contribution is undeniable. They are the foundation upon which scoring opportunities are built, reminding us that victory in the NFL frequently hinges on mastering even the most specialized roles. So, the next time you witness a booming punt or a game-winning kick, remember the unseen hand of the long snapper, tirelessly working in the shadows to make the seemingly impossible a reality.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, February 17th, 2024 at 7:11 pm and is filed under Top Lists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.