Håvard Rugland (born October 7, 1984), nicknamed Kickalicious,[1] is a Norwegian placekicker. His trick-shot videos gained him notoriety on YouTube. He competed for a roster position on several National Football League (NFL) teams and played in a pre-season game for the Detroit Lions.[2]
| No. 3 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Placekicker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | October 7, 1984 Ålgård, Norway |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
NFL career
editOn September 16, 2012, Rugland posted a video titled Kickalicious™ onto YouTube, under the name "bighdeluxe".[3] After the video went viral, Rugland traveled to San Diego to train with retired NFL kicker Michael Husted. In December 2012, the New York Jets hosted a tryout for Rugland.[4][5] In March 2013, Rugland worked out for the Cleveland Browns[6] and the Lions, who later signed him in April.[7] He competed with David Akers for the starting spot.
On August 9, 2013, Rugland made his NFL debut in a preseason game against the New York Jets, going 2-for-2 with a long field goal from 50 yards out.[8] On August 24, 2013, Rugland was cut by the Lions in favor of Akers. He went 3-for-3 in preseason with field goals of 33, 49, and 50 yards.[9] After Rugland cleared waivers, the Lions attempted to sign Rugland to their practice squad, but the league rejected the signing, claiming that the rule that the Lions had used to allow the signing was no longer valid.[10] He then had a workout with the Green Bay Packers, but was not added to the Packers' opening day roster.[11]
On January 28, 2015, Rugland and sponsor Pepsi Max Norway released a video titled Kickalicious™ part 2 on the latter's YouTube channel, in which Rugland showcases more trick-shot skills at famous natural landmarks throughout Norway.[12] The video featured music by Norwegian punk rock band Turbonegro.
References
edit- ^ "Detroit Lions sign Norwegian kicking prospect Havard Rugland, who gained fame with his trick-shot video 'Kickalicious'". New York Daily News. Associated Press. April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
- ^ Hanzus, Dan (April 11, 2013). "'Kickalicious' Havard Rugland signs with Detroit Lions". Around the League. National Football League. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
- ^ Harvard Rugland (September 16, 2012). "Kickalicious™". YouTube. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
- ^ Brinson, Will (December 21, 2012). "Jets give Norwegian YouTube kicking sensation a tryout". Eye on Football. CBS Sports. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ Karen, Mattias (January 8, 2013). "Havard Rugland, Norwegian Kicker, Dreams Of NFL After Viral Video". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ Cabot, Mary Kay (March 21, 2013). "Phil Dawson leaves with goodwill toward Cleveland Browns, despite team opting not to bring him back for 2013". Cleveland. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ Gutelle, Sam (April 12, 2013). "YouTube Sensation 'Kickalicious' Gets Signed By NFL Team". Tubefilter. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ Sean Yuille (August 9, 2013). "Havard Rugland impresses in first career game". SB Nation. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
- ^ Dave Birkett (August 27, 2013). "Detroit Lions cut Kickalicious (a.k.a. Havard Rugland)". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
- ^ Crabtree, Curtis (September 12, 2013). "Kickalicious says league rejected Lions' attempt to keep him on practice squad". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ Rogers, Justin (August 30, 2013). "Green Bay Packers work out former Detroit Lions kicker Havard Rugland". MLive.com. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ "Kickalicious™ part 2". YouTube. Pepsi Max Norge. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
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