Who: Falcons kick returner Allen Rossum
What: NFC divisional playoff game, Rams vs. Falcons
When: Jan. 15, 2005
Where: Georgia Dome
Score: Falcons 47, Rams 17
What happened: Rossum runs wild and the Falcons follow.
Earlier in the season, the Falcons had a big kickoff return in which Rossum threw back to DeAngelo Hall. Now special-teams coach Joe DeCamillis wanted to give the Rams the same look on a punt return, but instead he wanted Rossum to field Kevin Stemke’s punt and feign a lateral pass to Hall.
Rossum had his doubts about the play during practice.
“I thought, ‘There is no way I’m going to have enough time on a punt return to fake a throw,” Rossum said. “But for some reason (DeCamillis) called it and for some crazy reason we all believed it. We decided to go ahead and get behind it. And, lo and behold, (Stemke) gives us a good punt.”
Rossum faked the throw to Hall, and the Rams went for it. Rossum took off running and faked out two defenders, including the punter, and 68 yards later he was in the end zone.
Rossum’s touchdown extended the Falcons’ lead to 28-14 in the second quarter, and the Falcons were on their way to the most points and the largest victory margin in franchise history.
“When I got in end zone, I didn’t know whether to dance or what to do to celebrate,” he said. “I think it set the tone. The crowd went berserk. After that, it was over.”
Rossum set an NFL postseason record with 152 yards on just three punt returns to add an exclamation point to his Pro Bowl season. Rossum credited teammates such as Hall, Brian Finneran and Kevin Mathis for helping him have a big season.
Where is he now: Rossum lives in Atlanta. Among his business interests are working with real estate-and-investment firm Cocke, Finkelstein, Inc., Masada Resource Group waste technology and Robert Talbopp clothing.
“My wife tells me, ‘You have more jobs now compared to when you played,’” Rossum said. “I want to leave my mark here and set the tone for my kids that you can be successful in a number of things.”
