David Akers is going to have some competition for the kicking job in Detroit.
And it’s not just any competition. It’s “Kickalicious” competition.
Havard Rugland, the Norwegian newcomer to football who became a YouTube sensation thanks to a video named “Kickalicious” filled with stupendous kicking feats, has signed with the Lions. Tim Twentyman of the Lions website reported the news, but had no information about the terms of the deal.
Rugland worked with former NFL kicker Michael Husted to train for workouts with the Lions and other teams, including the Jets and Browns. Rugland first worked out for the Lions last month, but they held off on signing him as they sorted things out with Jason Hanson. Hanson retired, leaving the Lions to sign Akers after his rocky 2012 season.
The veteran has to be considered the favorite over a guy who has no prior football experience, but the idea of a guy earning a job in the NFL thanks in large part to a YouTube video feels like an almost too perfect statement of our time.