FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – New England guard Dan Connolly’s 71-yard kickoff return against Green Bay was the longest ever for an NFL offensive lineman.
According to STATS Inc., Connolly’s rumble Sunday night topped the 48-yard touchdown return by Atlanta’s Mal Snider in 1969. Connolly didn’t not score – he was forced at the 4. But the New England Patriots scored three plays later to take a 17-14 lead.
The 6-foot-4, 313-pound Connolly fielded the ball at the Patriots 25 on a short kick by Mason Crosby. Connolly cradled the ball in both arms preparing for a hit that never came.
He stiff-armed one defender, who swiped at the ball at around the Packers 35, then sidestepped Crosby before being pushed out at the 4.
Connolly later left with a head injury.
—
AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.
Add A Comment