The New England Patriots announced on Wednesday that wide receiver Gunner Olszewski has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week by the National Football League for his performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13.
During Sunday’s 45-0 victory over the Chargers, Olszewski scored his first career NFL touchdown on a 70-yard punt return in the second quarter and followed that return up with an additional 61-yard punt return in the fourth quarter.
Olszewski became the first player in Patriots history with two punt returns of at least 60 yards in a single game and his 145 total punt return yards became the second-most by a Patriots player in a single game, trailing Mike Haynes 156 punt return yards in 1976.
In addition to his big day on special teams, Olszewski also logged his first career touchdown reception, a 38-yard pass from Jarrett Stidham in the fourth quarter.
Olszewski is the first Patriots player to have a receiving and punt return touchdown in the same game since Julian Edelman in 2014.
For the third time this season the weekly special teams honor has gone to a Patriot, Olszewski’s joins kicker Nick Folk and his two AFC Special Teams Player of the Week selections for his game winning field goals in Week 9 and 12.
“I mean, I always want to go out there and do something with the ball when I get it. So I think today it just all happened right,” Olszewski said Sunday. “The blocking was good, I hit the lane like I was supposed to, like we practiced. And things sometimes fall like that.”
Following word of his selection, Olszewski thanked his teammates on Twitter.
PR unit of the week . Sure as hell didn’t do it on my own . Good job fellas https://t.co/8kxwkjbCRS
— Gunner Olszewski (@GunnerOlszewski) December 9, 2020
Is that Cam Newton in the end zone after Gunner Olszewski’s punt return TD?
“I had to go see my guy” pic.twitter.com/33unRLaDfy
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) December 7, 2020
Gunner Olszewski
Last TD I can find for Gunner was over 4 years ago.
November 12, 2016
Bemidji St vs Minnesota Crookson
What was it?
Of course, a 72 yard punt return for a TD pic.twitter.com/s7pYgD2eIW
— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) December 7, 2020
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