Packers punter Tim Masthay has been named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in each of the last two seasons because of the way he kicks the ball.
The NFL announced that he’s being honored for the third time in as many years this week, but his kicking has nothing to do with it. Masthay’s most notable moment of Green Bay’s 23-10 win over the Bears last Thursday night came via his arm.
With the Packers leading 3-0, Green Bay faced a fourth-and-26 situation at the Chicago 27-yard line in the second quarter. The Packers lined up for a field goal but executed a fake. Masthay, who holds for kicker Mason Crosby, threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tom Crabtree, opening up a bigger lead for Green Bay and sending them on their way to their first victory of the season.
Masthay is the first Packers punter to throw a touchdown pass since 1972. He also punted five times with a net average of 42 yards and, most importantly when playing the Bears, no touchdowns for Devin Hester. He is the first punter in league history to be named his conference’s Special Teams Player of the Week in each of his first three seasons.