Anchorage’s Brandon Pili became the first Alaskan to force a fumble in the NFL since 2011. Photo courtesy Seattle Seahawks
Anchorage’s Brandon Pili did something Sunday he hasn’t done since he was a teenager, and it helped make possible something that hasn’t happened in the NFL since 2011.
The 26-year-old nose tackle for the Seattle Seahawks made the most of extended playing time by registering two tackles on defense and forcing a fumble on special teams in a 38-14 victory in primetime over Washington on Sunday Night Football.
The 6-foot-3, 334-pounder out of Dimond High School threw a blocker to this side with his right arm and then used his left hand to punch the ball away from Washington return man Jaylin Lane. Pili’s big play helped Seattle score twice in 11 seconds because on the very next play Sam Darnold found Cody White for a 60-yard touchdown to put the Seahawks up 28-0.
Sunday was the first time Pili had been part of the kickoff team since his days in Alaska.
“I haven’t run on kickoffs since middle school or high school,” Pili told reporters with a smile. “But I didn’t mind.
“Wherever the team needs me, I’m happy to provide what I can.”
This was the first time an Alaska player forced a fumble in the NFL since 2011, when Anchorage’s Zack Bowman of the Chicago Bears knocked the ball away from Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson in punt coverage in Week 8.
ALASKANS IN THE NFL
Forced Fumbles
13 – Reggie Tongue, Fairbanks
6 – Travis Hall, Kenai
3 – Zack Bowman, Anchorage
1 – Tom Neville, Fairbanks
1 – Mao Tosi, Anchorage
1 – Brandon Pili, Anchorage
Sunday was Pili’s 18th career NFL appearance and the first time he played as many as 29 snaps, including a personal best 20 on defense for a 31% participation rate. That extended playing time allowed him to equal his career-high with two tackles, giving him eight stops for his career.
The last time he made two tackles in a game was 2023 as a rookie with the Miami Dolphins, who beat Denver 70-20 that day.
Pili also logged a career-high nine snaps on special teams, breaking his previous record of eight set his rookie season.
“It doesn’t matter where we play, it doesn’t matter who we play, everybody is always ready to go,” Pili said.
