Hollywood A-lister left starstruck by Australian NFL punter for his Super Bowl heroics, because the Seahawks star man reveals the very Aussie dinner he plans to have when he returns residence
Australian NFL star Michael Dickson earned the plaudits of Hollywood A-lister Chris Pratt after he helped guide the Seattle Seahawks to win the Super Bowl title on Sunday night.
Dickson, 30, impressed during the match, booting seven punts at an average of 47.8 yards to pin the New England Patriots back into their own half during his side’s 29-13 victory.
He follows in the footsteps of fellow Australian Jordan Mailata, who made history with the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2025 Super Bowl.
Dickson has since been hailed by many from the American football world in the wake of the victory, with ex-Australian NFL player Ben Graham claiming it was ‘one of the best punting performances in Super Bowl history.’
Pratt, an avid Seahawks fan, arrived on the field to celebrate the victory alongside the team, with the Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy actor being left starstruck by Dickson.
‘This guy’s the man,’ he told 7News.
Chris Pratt (left) hailed Australian punter Michael Dickson (right) ‘a stud’ after he helped the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots in Sunday night’s Super Bowl
Dickson, 30, impressed during the match, booting seven punts at an average of 47.8 yards to pin the New England Patriots back into their own half during his side’s 29-13 victory
Dickson’s right boot had even sent commentators into meltdown after the 30-year-old Sydney-born punter sent a booming 55-yard kick down towards the Patriots’ goal line late on in the match. It was a crucial moment in the game and ultimately prevented the Patriots from mounting a last-gasp comeback.
‘He pins it down inside the five at least two or three times a night. You’re such a stud, man,’ Pratt said to 7News.
‘I am a big fan and they’re world champions. They’re the best in the world tonight.
‘They cemented it, man, what a season, what a legacy you guys are. Awesome.’
Dickson, meanwhile, revealed the very Australian meal he was looking forward to eating when he arrived back home Down Under.
The punter, who could have enjoyed a promising career in the AFL, having played for the Sydney Swans reserves as a junior player, said he was excited to get back home and celebrate the victory with a chicken parmi and some chips with chicken salt.
‘I have big dreams, so I knew we were gonna get here, and I knew we were gonna get it done, and we did,’ Dickson told ESPN post-game.
‘I love my family, I love my friends, I love Australia. Can’t wait to get home and get some chips with chicken salt. Craving that and a parmi. That’d be nice.’
He follows in the footsteps of fellow Australian Jordan Mailata, who made history with the Philadelphia Eaglesduring the 2025 Super Bowl
Dickson revealed that he couldn’t wait to get back home to Australia to have a chicken parmi and some chips with chicken salt
The comment sent fans on the internet into meltdown, with one branding Dickson: ‘Oh, what an interview. What a true blue Aussie.’
As a youngster, Dickson had hoped to one day pursue a career in the AFL. He entered the 2014 National Draft, but was overlooked.
It was here that his NFL journey began, with the Aussie star subsequently moving to Melbourne to participate in Prokick Australia, a programme that trains athletes to become NFL players.
He was later snapped up by the University of Texas before being drafted to the Seahawks during the fifth round of the 2018 draft.
‘It feels like a dream, honestly. Yeah, I don’t believe it,’ Dickson told 7NEWS.
‘I couldn’t have done it without all my guys protecting me up front and covering.
‘We have an insanely good group and I love everyone on this team. I’m so happy that we get to live this together.’
Dickson is widely regarded as one of the best punters in the NFL. Across 52 kicks during the regular season, the Australian has averaged a punting distance of 49 yards, making him the NFL’s sixth-best punter this season.
He has been rewarded for his excellent form of late, with the Seahawks handing him a four-year contract extension in 2025, worth US$16.2million (AU$23.2m).
His former footy club, the Sydney Swans, paid tribute to the Seahawks punter, writing on X: ‘Congratulations Michael Dickson. We’ll have some yellow chips waiting for you back at the SCG.’
