The Kicking Maestro
An in-depth academic exploration of David Akers' distinguished career as an NFL placekicker, detailing his records, team tenures, and significant contributions to American football.
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Introduction
Player Profile
David Roy Akers, born December 9, 1974, in Lexington, Kentucky, is a former American professional football placekicker. His distinguished career spanned 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. Akers' precision and longevity established him as one of the league's most consistent special teams players.
Career Highlights
Akers garnered numerous accolades throughout his career, including six Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors. He notably tied the then-NFL record for the longest successful field goal at 63 yards, a feat that remains the third-longest in league history. His contributions were further recognized with induction into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame and inclusion in the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.
Team Affiliations
While most renowned for his 12 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (1999-2010), Akers also played for the Washington Redskins (1998), San Francisco 49ers (2011-2012), and Detroit Lions (2013). His early career included stints with the Carolina Panthers (1997 offseason/practice squad), Atlanta Falcons (1998 offseason/practice squad), and a season with the Berlin Thunder in NFL Europe (1999).
Early Life
High School Years
David Akers' foundational years in football began at Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Kentucky. It was here that he honed the skills that would eventually lead him to a prominent career in professional football.
College Career
Louisville Legacy
Akers continued his athletic and academic pursuits at the University of Louisville, where he played for the Louisville Cardinals football team from 1993 to 1996. His collegiate performance was marked by significant achievements, foreshadowing his professional success.
Collegiate Records
During his four-year tenure, Akers established himself as a prolific scorer for the Cardinals. He set a school record with 36 field goals, including a notable 51-yard kick against Texas A&M University. His consistent scoring placed him second on Louisville's all-time scoring list, accumulating a total of 219 points.
Pro Beginnings
Early NFL Stints
As an undrafted free agent, Akers embarked on his professional journey with initial attempts to secure a roster spot with the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers between 1997 and 1998. These early experiences, though brief, provided valuable exposure to the demanding environment of the NFL.
Washington Redskins
In 1998, Akers signed with the Washington Redskins, playing in one regular-season game. During this appearance, he successfully converted two extra points but missed two field goal attempts from distances exceeding 48 yards. He was subsequently waived by the Redskins during the 1999 season.
Berlin Thunder
Following his departure from Washington, Akers was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles, who then allocated him to NFL Europe. His solid performance with the Berlin Thunder in 1999 proved instrumental, earning him the starting kicking position for the Eagles in the 2000 NFL season.
Philadelphia Eagles Era
Immediate Impact (2000-2004)
Akers quickly became a special teams revelation for the Eagles. In 2000, he converted 29 of 33 field goals (an 87.9% success rate) and set a team record with 121 points, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Month. His excellence continued, leading to his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection in 2001, a season where he made a team-record 17 consecutive field goals. His best statistical year came in 2002, with 30 of 34 field goals (88.2%) and a new team record of 133 points, securing another Pro Bowl nod. In 2004, he made his third Pro Bowl and helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl XXXIX.
Resilience and Records (2005-2010)
Despite tearing a hamstring in 2005, Akers returned to kick the game-winning field goal, showcasing remarkable resilience. By 2007, he set the Eagles' franchise record for most career points. In 2008, he surpassed 1,000 career points and set another team single-season scoring record with 144 points, converting 33 of 40 field goals (82.5%). His postseason performance was equally impressive, setting an NFL record with 19 consecutive successful field goals. He earned his fourth and fifth Pro Bowl selections in 2009 and 2010, respectively, and was named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.
San Francisco 49ers Tenure
New Chapter, New Records (2011)
In July 2011, Akers signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He quickly made his mark, kicking a 59-yard field goal in a preseason game and a 55-yarder against the Dallas Cowboys, setting a record for the longest field goal at Candlestick Park. His 2011 season was historic: he broke Jerry Rice's 49ers record for most points in a season, then surpassed Neil Rackers' NFL record for most field goals in a season, finishing with 44. He also set an NFL record for most points by a kicker in a single season with 166 and even threw a touchdown pass on a fake field goal. This exceptional year culminated in his sixth Pro Bowl selection.
The 63-Yard Milestone (2012)
On September 9, 2012, Akers achieved a monumental feat by tying the NFL record for the longest field goal, converting a 63-yard attempt against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. This kick was particularly significant as it was a non-altitude-assisted kick, a distinction important in assessing kicking prowess. While the overall record has since been surpassed, Akers' kick remains a testament to his power and accuracy, particularly given the environmental conditions. He concluded his 49ers tenure with an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII, where he made all three of his field goal attempts despite the team's narrow loss.
Lions & Retirement
Final Season (2013)
On April 6, 2013, David Akers signed with the Detroit Lions, stepping into the role vacated by the retiring 21-season veteran kicker Jason Hanson. Akers played one season with the Lions, contributing his consistent kicking abilities to the team before concluding his active playing career.
Eagles Hall of Fame
Akers officially retired from professional football on October 23, 2017. In a poignant ceremony during a Monday Night Football game against the Washington Redskins, he signed a ceremonial contract to retire as a Philadelphia Eagle. This event coincided with his induction into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to his 12 seasons of dedicated service and numerous achievements with the franchise.
NFL Records
Career & Season Milestones
David Akers holds several notable NFL records, underscoring his exceptional performance and consistency as a placekicker:
Career Statistics
Regular Season Performance
Akers' regular season statistics reflect a career of remarkable consistency and high-volume scoring. His ability to convert field goals and extra points reliably made him a cornerstone of his teams' offensive strategies.
Playoff Performance
Akers' postseason statistics demonstrate his ability to perform under pressure in critical playoff games, contributing significantly to his teams' deep runs in the NFL playoffs, including two Super Bowl appearances.
Personal Life
Family & Residence
David Akers resides in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife, Erika, and their three children: sons Luke and Sawyer, and daughter Halley. The family also maintains a summer residence in Ocean City, New Jersey. His son, Luke Akers, has followed in his father's footsteps in collegiate football, currently serving as a punter for the Northwestern Wildcats.
Faith & Philanthropy
Akers is a Christian, and his faith has been a guiding principle in his life. In 2001, the Akers family established the David Akers Kicks for Kids Foundation. This charitable organization has developed programs in collaboration with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, dedicated to supporting sick children and their families, reflecting Akers' commitment to community service.
Diverse Interests
Beyond the football field, Akers has cultivated diverse interests, including training in martial arts. He has studied both Jiu-jitsu and Shaolin Kempo, demonstrating a dedication to discipline and physical prowess that extends beyond his professional sport.
Draft Day Antics
In a memorable moment at the 2018 NFL Draft, held at the Cowboys' AT&T Stadium, Akers was selected to announce an Eagles second-round draft pick. He delivered a dramatic speech, complete with good-natured "trash talk" directed at Cowboys fans, reminiscent of Drew Pearson's performance the previous year. Akers proudly announced Dallas Goedert as the 49th overall pick, further cementing his playful rivalry with the Cowboys faithful.
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References
References
- David Akers's 63-yarder
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