This is how the tackle I’m about to show you was recorded in the NFL’s official play-by-play log:

2-7-ATL 28 (4:05) M.Ryan pass short right to D.Freeman to ATL 39 for 11 yards (E.Thomas).

Oh, man, does that undersell what Earl Thomas did. The Seahawks safety didn’t just bring Devonta Freeman down with a boring wrap-up tackle.

Nope.

He punched that dude right in the face.

This is officially the greatest tackle in the history of football. Sorry, Chuck Bednarik. Sorry, Mike Jones. Sorry, Jadeveon Clowney. Those were all great efforts, but you’re not beating the punch tackle.

Let’s take a look at it again in slow motion:

So good. I’ve watched this play about a thousand times already.

Obviously, Thomas wasn’t actually trying to punch Freeman in the face. He was going for the ball, and Freeman’s helmet just happened to get in the way. Little-known fact: Punching at the ball is actually an illegal play, according to the NFL rule book:

A player may not bat or punch: (a) A loose ball (in field of play) toward his opponent’s goal line or in any direction in either end zone. (b) A ball in player possession.

Nobody tell Charles Tillman.