The St. Louis BattleHawks drew significant attention from the world after pulling off a fake punt in their XFL game.
On Saturday, the 5-2 BattleHawks hosted the 2-5 Vegas Vipers at The Dome at America’s Center. Trailing 17-8 in the 4th quarter, the BattleHawks were in desperate need of a big play.
Enter: Punter Sterling Hofrichter. Hofrichter served up a brilliant throw to the wide-open Gary Jennings. Jennings raced by everybody, outran a Viper defender at the end, stumbled, and hit the pylon for six!
FAKE PUNT FOR A TD 🚨@XFL2023 | @XFLBattlehawks pic.twitter.com/JDbbMtpZ9y
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 8, 2023
The highlight-reel play went viral on Saturday afternoon.
“Gutsy call by two former Jets. Head Coach Anthony Becht and special teams coordinator Tory Woodbury,” one fan noted.
Gutsy call by two former Jets. Head Coach Anthony Becht and special teams coordinator Tory Woodbury.
— Mike Mitchell (@ByMikeMitchell) April 8, 2023
Chris Vannini of The Athletic declared St. Louis as the “most exciting team in football.”
The St. Louis Battlehawks are the most exciting team in football.
Come back from down 17-8 late thanks to a fake punt TD and win in overtime. https://t.co/bFqsG6ndj9
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 8, 2023
“KaKaw,” went one fan.
#KaKaw https://t.co/9MqzYosfir
— shoot name kevin (@might_be_a_mark) April 8, 2023
“Best pass of the day,” declared Shawn Balint.
Best pass of the day. https://t.co/KKaVc2SDNt
— Shawn Balint (@ShawnBalint) April 8, 2023
“MOST ELECTRIFYING PLAY I’VE EVER WITNESSED,” exclaimed Brendan Dzwierzynski.
MOST ELECTRIFYING PLAY I’VE EVER WITNESSED https://t.co/NOT2n5Ma7f
— Brendan Dzwierzynski (@BrendanDzw) April 8, 2023
Gary Jennings, of course, was a former Seahawk, as Brandon Gustafson pointed out.
Seahawks 2019 4th round pick Gary Jennings with the score here https://t.co/XMKfJGPxhM
— Brandon Gustafson (@TheBGustafson) April 8, 2023
The team was going crazy after the play. “THE ABSOLUTE BESTEST MOST SPECIALEST OF SPECIAL TEAMS,” the team tweeted in jubilation.
THE ABSOLUTE BESTEST MOST SPECIALEST OF SPECIAL TEAMS pic.twitter.com/G9ESCt79qt
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) April 8, 2023
And they were also sure to announce, with their chest, that they had the best special teams unit in the XFL.
BEST SPECIAL TEAMS UNIT IN THE XFL DO NOT @ US https://t.co/WHOXGgnK28 pic.twitter.com/UOmNhNzWbs
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) April 8, 2023
After a play that spectacular? With that kind of result in that moment? Extremely hard to argue.
