Amazing Photo of Dolphins’ Butt Punt Goes Viral on Social Media

USA Today photographer Jason Vinlove perfectly captured one of the most ignominious moments in NFL history on Sunday.
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As the 10-year anniversary of the infamous Mark Sanchez butt fumble approaches, there is a new regrettable NFL moment that has gone viral.

As Miami led Buffalo 21-17 with less than two minutes to play on Sunday, Dolphins punter Thomas Morstead took the snap and punted the ball directly into the backside of one of his blockers. The ball ricocheted back out of Miami’s end zone for a safety.

Buffalo got the ball back at its own 23-yard line after the ensuing free kick, down two points with 1:25 to play and without any timeouts remaining. The Bills drove as far as the Miami 41-yard line, where Buffalo wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie was tackled in bounds with 10 seconds to play, allowing the Dolphins to hang on for the win, 21-19.

Adding insult to ignominy, Sanchez reacted to the gaffe on Twitter.

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Sunday’s snapshot of the punt, captured perfectly by USA Today photographer Jasen Vinlove, is no different. Below is Vinlove’s now-famous photo of Morstead booting the ball into the behind of unsuspecting blocker Trent Sherfield.

Miami’s Thomas Morstead punts the ball directly into the backside of Dolphins blocker Trent Sherfield during Sunday’s game against Buffalo :: Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports

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For more Miami Dolphins coverage, go to All Dolphins


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Mike McDaniel
MIKE MCDANIEL

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.