The specialists on any football team are often a tight-knit trio. Success for them often hinges on a unique connection -- one where timing, rhythm and each other's habits become a shared language.

Washington Commanders' kicker Matt Gay, long snapper Tyler Ott and punter Tress Way possess the kinship of many other specialist groups. However, there's an element to their bond to which no other men in their positions have ever had. As confirmed by Elias Sports, the Commanders are the first NFL team to have three specialists who all have three letter last names.

Shortly after Gay was signed by the Commanders in free agency, the specialists had a sense that a never-before-seen phenomenon was afoot.

"We've been saying it since the spring," Way said.

The inkling about their surnames' significa

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