Oh snap! Jets' Thomas Hennessy details what goes into perhaps the NFL's most underappreciated job

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Thomas Hennessy's journey to the NFL began with one big snap decision in high school.

The self-described “late bloomer” always had a pretty good arm, but playing quarterback didn't seem realistic. Hennessy wanted to be part of Don Bosco Preparatory's team in Ramsey, New Jersey, and contribute, even if it wasn't as a starter.

So his father suggested he try his hand at long snapping.

“If you can throw overhand, you could probably figure out how to throw it underhand to do a long snap, and it's something you just might have a knack for,” the New York Jets ' longest-tenured player recalled his father telling him. "So I gave it a try in ninth grade, just kind of in the backyard messing around.