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Hunter Smith-Punter 1999-2008
Hunter the Punter was the most popular Colt that fans hated to see on the field. Indianapolis’s punter for ten seasons was always
well liked in part because he was a Notre Dame graduate. A man of impeccable character, Smith was also an excellent athlete, able to run
and throw as well as kick. One of his smartest moves was to develop a rugby style punt that died easily inside the 10 yard line. Knowing that
the Colts had a top offense, it was more important that he pin teams deep with a short field rather than try to boom long punts. Despite a
fraction of the attempts of other punters, Smith managed to pin at least 20 balls inside the 20 yard line in six different seasons.
His two greatest claims to fame include an excellent hold on a key field goal in the playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens when he
took a bad snap and managed to get the hold down in time for Adam Vinatieri to make an important kick. He also famously tackled Deion
Sanders on a punt return. Sanders had bragged that he knew he would score if he saw a punter trying to tackle him. The next day, Smith
dragged Sanders down short of the goal line, showing what great speed he possessed.
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