Ravens rookie Ryan Eckley brings swagger to the punter position

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Eckley Bringing Swagger Back to the Punter Position​

Ryan Eckley isn’t trying to blend in, and that’s exactly what makes him stand out.

When asked about the swagger he brings to the field and the joy he plays with, Eckley leaned into the idea that specialists don’t have to fit the old stereotype.

"Yes, absolutely. A receiver scores a touchdown, and they get to celebrate in the end zone. I hit a really cool punt, I think I should be able to hit a little celebration, too, and have some fun with it. At the end of the day, you're playing the kids' game of football, and you have to make the most of it. And so, while I'm out there, I try to have as much fun as I can and still be a football player, especially because specialists get a bad rap of being weird or being nerdy. And it's like, ‘No, I'm still out there lifting and working out with the rest of y'all, and I can hold my own.’ So I want to show you all I'm going to have some fun out there too and have a little bit swag.”

It’s a different kind of mindset for the position, one built on confidence and energy. And if that carries over on Sundays, Eckley won’t just be noticed for his punts, but for the presence he brings with them.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: NFL Draft: Ravens punter Ryan Eckley challenges specialist stereotypes

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