For once, a punter may be the most popular guy in the locker room.
Baltimore Ravens punter Sam Koch gave Apple Watches to some of his teammates after making the first Pro Bowl in his 10-year career, reports Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Seven teammates who played at least eight games on the punt team received the gift from Koch, who also bought flight vouchers for two other players.
Koch gave away the gifts because he believed the Pro Bowl selection was a team achievement. ESPN reports he initially wanted to fly everyone to the Pro Bowl, but many declined because they wanted their first Pro Bowl trip to be earned.
“That’s on par with Sam,” long snapper Morgan Cox said. “I’m really proud of all the work he’s put in. And obviously I’m thankful of him thinking of us and showing that he appreciates us.”
Flying along with Koch to the Pro Bowl are Cox, special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg and kicking consultant Randy Brown, along with their wives.
It’s a big act of generosity on Koch’s part. He can afford it though, as he agreed to a five-year contract extension earlier this year worth $18.75 million, making him one of the highest-paid punters in the league. Plus, if he’s on the winning Pro Bowl team he’ll earn $55,000, and if he’s on the losing on he’ll still get $28,000. Will that extra salary make him break even on the watches?
“At this point, it really doesn’t matter,” Koch said. “I’m just happy to bringing the guys out there that mean the most to me.”
Nicely done Sam Koch, nicely done.
[ESPN]
