Billy Cundiff facts for kids
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Cundiff in 2015
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| Position: | Placekicker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | March 30, 1980 Valley Center, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 212 lb (96 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Harlan Community (Harlan, Iowa) | ||||||||
| College: | Drake (1998–2001) | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2002 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Billy Cundiff (born March 30, 1980) is a former American football player. He was a special kind of player called a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). A placekicker's job is to kick the football through the goalposts for points. Billy played college football at Drake University. After college, he joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2002.
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Billy Cundiff's College Football Journey
Billy Cundiff played for the Drake Bulldogs football team at Drake University. He was a fantastic kicker in college! He broke five records in the Pioneer Football League (PFL). These records included the most points scored (284) and the most field goals (49). He also made 137 extra points after touchdowns.
During his time with the Bulldogs, Billy kicked eight field goals from over 50 yards away. One amazing kick was a 62-yard field goal in 2000. This was a PFL record! He also played a little bit of basketball for Drake University. Billy earned a degree in biology in 2003. He received a special award called the Drake Double D Award in 2012. This is the highest honor for a student-athlete at the university.
Billy Cundiff's NFL Career
Billy Cundiff played for many teams in the NFL. He was known for his powerful kicks.
Starting with the Dallas Cowboys
Billy joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2002. He was not drafted by a team, but he worked hard and earned a spot. He became the team's main kicker. As a rookie, he won an award for being the best Special Teams player in the NFC for a week. This happened after he kicked a 48-yard field goal to win a game against the St. Louis Rams.
In 2003, Billy tied a record by making seven field goals in one game! This was against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. He also won the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award twice that season. Only one other Cowboys player had done that before.
In 2005, Billy got hurt during training. He later came back to the Cowboys. In his first game back, he kicked a 56-yard field goal. This was the longest field goal in Cowboys history at the time! However, he was released later that season after missing some important kicks.
Playing for Many Teams
After the Cowboys, Billy played for several other NFL teams. He often joined teams to help them with their kicking needs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers
In 2006, Billy signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But he was released when their main kicker returned. He then signed with the Green Bay Packers but was also released before the season started.
New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons
Later in 2006, the New Orleans Saints signed Billy. He helped them with kickoffs. In 2007, he joined the Atlanta Falcons but left before the regular season.
Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions
In 2008, Billy signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was released before the season began. In 2009, he briefly played for the Detroit Lions when their kicker was injured.
First Time with the Cleveland Browns
Billy signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2009. He helped them win a game against the Buffalo Bills by kicking the game-winning field goal. He was released by the Browns later that year.
Time with the Baltimore Ravens
Billy joined the Baltimore Ravens in November 2009. He became their main kicker. In 2010, he had a great season! He was chosen for the 2011 Pro Bowl, which is a special game for the best players. He made 26 out of 29 field goals. He also led the league with 40 touchbacks on kickoffs. A touchback happens when the ball is kicked into the end zone and the receiving team doesn't return it.
In 2011, Billy signed a big five-year contract with the Ravens. However, he had a very tough moment in the 2012 AFC Championship Game. He missed a 32-yard field goal that would have tied the game against the New England Patriots. The Ravens lost the game. Billy was released by the Ravens in August 2012.
Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers
Billy then signed with the Washington Redskins in 2012. In one game, he made a 41-yard field goal at the very end to help the Redskins win! He was later released by the Redskins. In 2013, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers but was released before the playoffs.
Second Time with the Cleveland Browns
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Billy returned to the Cleveland Browns in 2013. He had a good year, making 80% of his field goals. In 2014, he kicked game-winning field goals against the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. He was released by the Browns in December 2014 due to a knee injury.
Buffalo Bills
Billy briefly joined the Buffalo Bills in 2015. He was signed to help with kickoffs but was released a few days later.
Billy Cundiff's Life Outside Football
Billy Cundiff is married to his college sweetheart, Nicole. They have three children together.
In 2007, Billy went back to school. He studied for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Arizona State University. He graduated in 2009 with his MBA.
