Pour Some Out for Rafael Gaglianone

There are heavy hearts in Madison, Wisconsin this week following the tragic news that Heisman hopeful Rafael Gaglianone will miss the remainder of the Badger's season after undergoing surgery for a back injury. The Junior is a 3 year starter who has converted 44 of 57 field goals during his Wisconsin career and has 4 game-winners to his name. In his true freshman debut, Gaglianone hit a monster 51 yarder against LSU. He capped off his rookie campaign by converting the game tying field goal with 7 seconds left in the Outback Bowl against Auburn before sinking the game-winner in overtime. In his sophomore year, Gaglianone crushed a 46 yarder with 4 seconds left to defeat Nebraska and then went 3-3 in the Holiday Bowl against USC, including the eventual game-winner. Gaglianone kicked off his promising junior year by going 3 for 3 against then number 5 LSU, including the eventual game-winning 47 yard boot with less than 4 minutes to play.

The Brazilian born kicker captured our hearts and our minds not only with his cold blooded clutch field goals, but also with his charisma and youthful enthusiasm for the sport. 'Rafa,' as I've affectionately nicknamed him, was a true showman who's flare was on display every time he drilled the ball through the uprights. Rafa's repertoire of celebrations are straight off the soccer pitch. From the 'Ronaldo' to the jumping fist swing, Rafa's celly's would make Mario Balotelli blush. From his emotional transparency to his seemingly bottomless bag of theatrical celebrations, Rafa has brought the 'beautiful game' to American football.

In a sport where kickers are rarely held in the same esteem as their field playing counterparts, it was Rafa who bucked the trend. The 'quiet little kicker' stereotype has been shattered by Gaglianone, who's over the top celebrations have set a new precedent for the next generation of kickers. Just as we are currently in the midst of an Australian punter revolution, where more and more coaches are importing Aussies because of their athleticism and experience playing rugby and Aussie rules football, perhaps the next wave of foreign talent to come through American football will be Brazilian place kickers.

Here is a clip of Rafa's game-winner against Nebraska and ensuing 'Ronaldo' celly:

Here is a clip of Rafa's 47 yard eventual game winner against LSU from earlier this year:

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