ENCINITAS, Calif. -- It's a common misconception that Darren Bennett was the first Australian-born player in the NFL. He wasn't. Nor was he the first Australian punter for that matter.
Both honors go to the late Colin Ridgway, who lasted all of three games with the Dallas Cowboys in 1965.
"I've seen the punt that got him cut," said Bennett, sipping an Americano coffee and snacking on a blueberry muffin at a coffee shop in this beach town north of San Diego. "He was punting into the wind out of the end zone and the ball bounced behind him.