{"id":374,"date":"2024-02-17T19:11:33","date_gmt":"2024-02-17T23:11:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/?p=374"},"modified":"2026-01-11T16:26:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T20:26:15","slug":"11-best-long-snappers-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/2024\/02\/11-best-long-snappers-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Top NFL Long Snappers of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(last updated on January 11, 2026)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will highlight some of the standouts of these unsung gridiron heroes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Where the Specialty of Long Snappers Started<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many credit Washington Coach George Allen<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\n\n
\n\t

\n\t\tGeorge Burman<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n George Robert Burman\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: C-G-T\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

6-3<\/span>, 255lb<\/span> (190cm, 115kg) <\/p>\n\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tDecember 1<\/a>, 1942\n \n \n in Chicago, IL<\/a><\/span>\n \n<\/span> (Age: 81-072d)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tNorthwestern<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t (College Stats<\/a>)\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 18 (6032nd overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tWhiting<\/a> (IN<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Chicago Bears<\/a> in the 15th round (210th overall) of the 1964 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

<\/p>\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t

\n\t\n 68 \n\t<\/a>\n\t\n 51 \n\t<\/a>\n\t\n 58 \n\t<\/a>\n\t
+2<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\nSUMMARY<\/strong><\/span>\n\n

Career<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n
\nG<\/strong><\/span>\n

85<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nAV<\/strong><\/span>\n

20<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>

\n
\nGS<\/strong><\/span>\n

3<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Other Early LS Pioneers to Recognize<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\n\n
\n\t

\n\t\tTodd Thomas<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n Todd Robin Thomas\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: C\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

6-5<\/span>, 261lb<\/span> (196cm, 118kg) <\/p>\n\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tDecember 2<\/a>, 1959\n \n \n in Mankato, MN<\/a><\/span>\n \n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Died:<\/strong>\n March 5<\/a>, 2000 (Aged 40-094d)<\/span>\n \n in Houston, TX<\/a><\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tNorth Dakota<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 1 (15157th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tCedarburg<\/a> (WI<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> in the 5th round (124th overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

<\/p>\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t

\n\t\n 62 \n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\nSUMMARY<\/strong><\/span>\n\n

Career<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n
\nG<\/strong><\/span>\n

15<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nAV<\/strong><\/span>\n

1<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Kansas City Chiefs were the first team to expend a draft pick on a specialty snapper in the 1981 NFL Draft<\/a> when they selected Todd Thomas from North Dakota in the fifth round with 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\n\t
\n\t\n\n
\n\t

\n\t\tKendall Gammon<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n Kendall Robert Gammon\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: C-TE\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

6-4<\/span>, 255lb<\/span> (193cm, 115kg) <\/p>\n\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tOctober 23<\/a>, 1968\n \n \n in Wichita, KS<\/a><\/span>\n \n<\/span> (Age: 55-111d)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tPittsburg St.<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 11 (8031st overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tRose Hill<\/a> (KS<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> in the 11th round (291st overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

<\/p>\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n