It was Week 1 of the 2014 NFL season. The Pittsburgh Steelers were hosting the Cleveland Browns. At the time, Antonio Brown was the league’s golden boy—a sixth-round underdog turned superstar who could do no wrong. Then, in the second quarter, he did something that basically broke the internet before "breaking the internet" was even a tired phrase.
Antonio Brown kicks punter Spencer Lanning square in the face.
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If you’ve seen the clip, you know it looks like something out of a 1970s kung-fu movie. Brown is sprinting down the sideline, he hits the open field, and suddenly there’s only one man between him and the end zone: the punter. Instead of juking or running around him, Brown decides to go over him.
But he didn't quite make it.
The Hurdle That Became a Karate Kick
Most players try to hurdle a defender to stay on their feet. Brown, however, seemed to misjudge the distance or perhaps Lanning’s height. As he launched into the air, his lead leg didn't clear the punter's helmet. Instead, he planted his cleat right into Lanning’s facemask, stomping him down into the turf like a scene from 300.
The announcer’s call became an instant classic. Ian Eagle, with a mix of shock and pure professional composure, uttered the now-famous line: "Hurdles... kicks a man!"
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The stadium went silent for a split second before erupting. Honestly, it was one of those rare moments where the entire NFL world—players, coaches, and fans—just stopped and said, "Wait, did he just do that?" It wasn't a trip or a stumble. It was a front-kick to the teeth.
Why Didn't He Just Move?
Looking back at the tape, there was a massive lane to Brown’s left. He could have walked into the end zone. So why the kick?
- The "Cool" Factor: At that point in his career, AB was obsessed with highlight-reel plays. Hurdling a player is the ultimate disrespect/flex in football.
- Indecision: Spencer Lanning didn't dive. Usually, punters dive at the ankles. Lanning stood his ground, which basically turned him into a stationary hurdle that was too tall to clear.
- Pure Instinct: In the heat of the moment, when the hurdle fails, your foot has to go somewhere. Unfortunately for Lanning, that "somewhere" was his forehead.
The Fallout: Fines, Flags, and Twitter Gold
The refs didn't miss it. A yellow flag flew immediately. Brown was slapped with a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty. It didn't end up hurting the Steelers too much—they won the game 30-27—but the league office wasn't about to let a "karate kick" go unpunished.
A few days later, the NFL handed down an $8,268 fine for the move. For a guy making millions, that's pocket change, but it cemented the play's status in the "You Can't Do That" Hall of Fame.
Interestingly, the two players had very different versions of the aftermath. Brown claimed he talked to Lanning after the game and that they were cool. Lanning, on the other hand, went on the record saying that never happened. He did, however, have the best reaction on Twitter (X). He posted a photo of the kick with the caption: "Wait, wait, wait... When did this happen?!?"
You've gotta respect a guy who can take a cleat to the face and still crack a joke about it.
Is It Actually Illegal? (The Jason Kelce Debate)
Fast forward years later, and NFL legends are still debating if this should have been a penalty at all. On the New Heights podcast, Jason Kelce famously defended the move. His logic? You’re allowed to stiff-arm a guy with your hand, so why can't you "stiff-kick" him with your foot?
It's a wild take, but it highlights how much people love this play.
Technically, the NFL rulebook is pretty clear about "striking, kicking, or kneeing" an opponent. It falls under the umbrella of unnecessary roughness. Even if Brown didn't intend to hurt Lanning—and he repeatedly said he didn't—the result was a foot to the face. You can’t have guys running around like Liu Kang in a professional football game.
The Legacy of the Kick
In the grand timeline of Antonio Brown’s career, the kick to Spencer Lanning was actually one of the "tamer" headlines. Compared to the hot air balloons, the helmet grievances, and the mid-game exit in Tampa Bay, the karate kick was almost charming. It was a weird, athletic fluke that showed just how unpredictable AB was on the field.
For Spencer Lanning, it was the moment he became the most famous punter in the world for a week. He even joked that he had to delete the Twitter app because his mentions were a disaster.
What We Can Learn from the "AB Kick"
If you're an aspiring returner or just a fan watching from the couch, there are a few takeaways from this madness:
- Commit to the Juke: If there's 15 yards of open grass to your left, take it. The highlight isn't worth the 15-yard penalty.
- Punters are People Too: They aren't trained to take "Sparta kicks." If you're going to hurdle, make sure you have the vertical.
- Protect the Brand: Brown actually kept a "Fathead" wall decal of the kick in his house. It shows that even back then, he embraced the chaos.
If you want to revisit the madness, the video is still one of the most-watched NFL highlights on YouTube. Just search for "Antonio Brown kicks punter" and prepare to cringe and laugh at the same time.
Next steps for you: If you're interested in more weird NFL history, you should look into the "Billy Sims" kick from the 1980s—it’s the only other play that rivaled Brown's for pure martial arts energy on a football field. You could also check out the official NFL rulebook section on "Unnecessary Roughness" to see exactly how the league has tightened up these rules since 2014.