Long snappers are often the forgotten players on NFL teams, but they play an important role, and the NFL monitors them the same as players at any other position.
Indeed, Buffalo Bills long snapper Reid Ferguson learned that the hard way after his team’s victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night. Ferguson posted a picture on social media of the NFL’s written mandate that he submit to a drug test following the 24–22 Bills victory.
The 29-year-old Ferguson joked that the team’s “Buffalo vs. Everybody” mentality also includes the league itself.
Buffalo vs. Everybody…(including drug tests smh)
— Reid Ferguson (@SnapFlow69) December 24, 2023
🦬🦬🦬 pic.twitter.com/IeIv7KFdBf
Ferguson entered the league in 2016 with the Bills and has been with Buffalo for his entire career. From 2017 to ’23, Ferguson has played in 112 games as long snapper, a steady presence on the team’s special teams unit.
Although long snappers are rarely celebrated, their performance is critical to special teams success. Apparently, the NFL is making sure they don’t get an unfair advantage during games.
