Commanders safety Tyler Owens delivered a special teams highlight on Sunday afternoon that immediately blew up social media, racking up millions of views and rave reviews across the league. In his team’s Week 1 tilt with the Eagles, Owens, a punt specialist, put together a tackle so insane it’s already being called a potential highlight of the year. This wasn’t just some routine play; it was a masterclass in hustle and pure grit that left a lasting impression.
He Just Couldn’t Be Stopped on the Way to Shipley
You rarely see special teams plays generate this kind of buzz, especially when they don’t involve points, but Owens proved the exception. He somehow danced through the mire of blockers, shrugging off four challenges before he even got to Philadelphia’s punt returner, Will Shipley. Owens used three nasty stiff arms to absolutely leave his markers on the canvas, creating extra runway after he crossed midfield. Then, he locked onto Shipley, sliding underneath the Clemson alum and driving him into the ground to complete the rep. It was pure poetry in motion, showing off his incredible fluidity and doggedness. Coach Larry Izzo is gonna be absolutely hyped when they review that film!
Tom Brady Was Blown Away, And So Was Everyone Else
The commitment Owens showed on that play made waves immediately. Fox’s broadcast crew, Kevin Burkhardt and none other than Tom Brady, couldn’t stop singing his praises as the replay danced across the screen. Brady was genuinely impressed, stating, “Look at him running through these gunners that are trying to get in his way. No way, not today. [Washington special team coach Larry] Izzo is going to be very proud of that.” Owens, a 25-year-old safety and former highly-touted recruit out of Plano, Texas, joined Washington as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 Draft. He amassed 56 tackles in two seasons at Texas Tech and entered 2026 with 24 tackles and a forced fumble in his pro career. To see an undrafted guy make that kind of impact in Week 1? That’s what football is all about.
Unfortunately, Owens was felled by an ankle injury in the second half, which limited his effectiveness for the rest of the game. But even with the injury, his incredible pursuit on that tackle of Shipley lingered long after he left the field. You can bet he’s going to command plenty of compliments when Izzo and the rest of the special teams crew study the film from Sunday’s game. That kind of effort sets the tone early in the season, and it’s exactly what you want to see from your squad.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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