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DETROIT — The Detroit Lions have signed YouTube sensation "Kickalicious" to a three-year, $1.485 million contract to compete for their vacant kicking position.
The contract includes no bonus or guaranteed money. Havard Rugland, known on the Internet as "Kickalicious," will compete with the newly signed David Akers for the job, according to a post on the Detroit Lions' blog.
Rugland, a native of Norway, became an Internet sensation after a video titled "Kickalicious" was posted to YouTube in September. In the four-minute video, Rugland makes trick shots and challenging field goals from 60 yards. The video has been viewed 3.2 million times.
The Lions said they found out about Rugland because of the video. They brought him in for a tryout in March, but did not sign him at the time.
Rugland has no prior American football experience, but is a former amateur soccer player. The 6-foot-2 ½-inch, 240-pound man has been training with former NFL kicker Michael Husted in San Diego since November. He reportedly had workouts for the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets before signing with the Lions.
