While the NFL is a distinctly American competition, Australians are continuing to stamp their mark.
In particular, the role of the punter is one where Aussies seem to thrive.
Michael Dickson (Seattle Seahawks) and Lou Hedley (New Orleans Saints) have flown the flag this season, but it is San Francisco 49ers punter Mitchell Wishnowsky who is set to receive plenty of attention at Super Bowl LVIII.
The 31-year-old from Gosnells in Western Australia will be in action in Las Vegas as he looks to win his first NFL ring.
MORE: When does the Super Bowl start in Australia?
Who did Mitchell Wishnowsky play for in college?
Wishnowsky enjoyed a successful three-year college stint with Utah, but it took quite the journey to get there.
He grew up playing Aussie Rules in WA, but multiple shoulder injuries forced him to give up the sport as an 18-year-old.
At this point, he had already spent two years working as a glazier – a job he had no passion for.
After learning of Prokick Australia – a training centre that converts athletes into American football punters – while playing non-contact Aussie Rules, Wishnowsky made the move to Melbourne to enrol in the program.
One year at Prokick and a season with Santa Barbara City College later, he received a scholarship to punt for Division 1 team Utah in 2016.
In three seasons in the Pac-12 Conference, Wishnowsky punted for an average of 45.7 yards.
He also won the Ray Guy Award in his debut year, named college football's best punter.
He was just one of two punters to be selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, picked by the 49ers in the fourth round at 110th overall.
Has Mitchell Wishnowsky played in a Super Bowl before?
Yes, Wishnowsky was part of the 49ers' Super Bowl LIV loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020.
It was an impressive achievement for the Aussie, who was only in his rookie NFL season.
He punted twice in the game as his team fell 31-20.
Mitchell Wishnowsky salary, pay
Witchnowsky signed a four-year, US$11,200,000 (AU$17,054,240) contract in 2022.
This sees him earn an average annual salary of US$2,800,000 (AU$4,263,560).
