J.D. McKissic takes kickoff back for a 101 yard touchdown

J.D. McKissic provided the Atlanta Falcons with some fireworks after he took a kickoff back for a 101-yard touchdown. 

The Atlanta Falcons opened up their preseason schedule with a challenging match against the Washington Redskins. After a rough season last year, the Falcons needed to go out and play a tough, physical game, against the Redskins who made the postseason last year.

While the Redskins and Falcons are not some of the more exciting NFL teams, the Falcons have a new speedy tool in their toolkit that made what is normally a dull preseason game have a bit more flashy.

Early in the third quarter, McKissic was returning kickoffs for the Falcons when he had the perfect opportunity to make a splash for his new team. The undrafted free agent took the kickoff, zipped and dodged past practically every member of the Redskins kickoff coverage team and eventually dashed into the end zone via a beautifully executed front flip.

The Falcons rookie is expected to replace the team’s former return man, Devin Hester, who was released earlier this year.

Hester, who is one of the greatest kickoff returners off all-time, will be leaving big shoes for McKissic to fill. If tonight’s performance is any indication of future production, then the Falcons may have drafted the perfect replacement to Hester.

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Even if McKissic doesn’t end up making the Falcons final 53 man roster, at least he will have one of the more impressive kickoff returns in preseason history to immortalize his NFL career.