Kevin Stemke facts for kids
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| Position: | Punter | ||||||||||
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| Born: | November 23, 1978 Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S. |
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| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Preble (Green Bay, Wisconsin) |
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| College: | Wisconsin | ||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2001 | ||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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Kevin Stemke is an American former professional football player. He was a punter in the National Football League (NFL). Kevin was born on November 23, 1978. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers. In 2000, he won the first-ever Ray Guy Award. This award goes to the best college punter in the nation.
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Early Life and High School
Kevin Stemke was born in 1978. His father, Horst Stemke, was a U.S. Olympic soccer player. Kevin grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
He went to Preble High School and graduated in 1997. While in high school, Kevin played quarterback for his school's football team.
College Football Career
Kevin Stemke played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers. He quickly became a star punter.
Setting Records at Wisconsin
In his first year at Wisconsin, Kevin set a new team record. He averaged 43.9 yards per punt. This was a great start to his college career.
During his second year, he was named to the first-team in the Big Ten Conference. This shows he was one of the best players in the conference.
In his final year, Kevin broke his own school record. He averaged an amazing 44.5 yards per punt. This was the third-best average in the entire country. He also had the best net punting average in the U.S. at 42.5 yards.
Winning the Ray Guy Award
Because of his outstanding performance, Kevin received the first-ever Ray Guy Award. This award honors the top punter in college football.
Even up to 2022, Kevin still held two important Wisconsin records. He had the highest career punting average (43.5 yards). He also had the most total punting yards (10,660) in the school's history.
Playing Professional Football
After college, Kevin Stemke tried to make it in the NFL. He was not chosen in the 2001 NFL draft. However, the Green Bay Packers signed him in April 2001.
He later played for the Oakland Raiders in 2002. He also spent time with the Miami Dolphins in 2003. During that year, he played for the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe. In 2004, he was with the Washington Redskins for a short time.
In November 2004, the St. Louis Rams signed Kevin. He played for them for a bit. He was released before the 2005 season began.
Life After Football
After his football career, Kevin Stemke started a new path. As of 2008, he worked as a director for a company called Replay Photos.
There is also an award named after him. The Kevin Stemke Award is given every year to a high school senior kicker or punter in Wisconsin.
Personal Life
Kevin Stemke is married to Lizzy Fitzgerald Stemke. Lizzy was also a talented athlete. She used to be a member of the United States women's national volleyball team.
