Robbie Gould
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Chicago Bears — No. 9 | |
| Placekicker | |
| Date of birth: December 6, 1982 | |
| Place of birth: Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania | |
| Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | Weight: 183 lb (83 kg) |
| National Football League debut | |
|---|---|
| 2005 for the Chicago Bears | |
| Career history | |
| College: Penn State | |
| Undrafted in 2005 | |
Teams:
|
|
| Current status: Active | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
Robert Paul Gould III (pronounced /Gōld/) (born December 6, 1982 in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania) is an American football placekicker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Penn State.
Contents |
[edit] Early years
Gould was born in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. He attended Central Mountain High School in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, where he won letters in football, soccer, basketball, and track. During the 2000 Boys' Soccer District Championship, Gould scored the game winning goal with seconds left. Although originally interested in becoming a professional soccer player, he eventually chose to pursue a career in football, asking his high school principal to send a letter of recommendation to Penn State head football coach, Joe Paterno, who invited Gould to try out as a freshman walk-on[1].
[edit] Professional career
The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots signed rookie free-agent Gould prior to the 2005 NFL preseason, despite the fact they already had Adam Vinatieri.[2] Following his preseason release from the Patriots, Gould next signed with the Baltimore Ravens, only to be waived three weeks later. The Bears signed him on October 8, 2005, following the week three injury of their starting kicker, Doug Brien.[3] Gould kicked his first NFL field goal the next week in a 20-10 loss at Cleveland, and his first game-winner in week nine against the New Orleans Saints. He would finish the 2005 season with a 77% field goal percentage and hitting all but one of his 20 PAT attempts.
Gould kicked 26 consecutive field goals during the 2006 NFL season. His accomplishments broke former Bears’ kicker Kevin Butler’s record of most consecutive field goals, and landed him acclaim as the NFL Special Teams Player of the Month for October 2006. Additionally, NFL fans across the nation selected Gould as the NFC’s kicker for the 2007 Pro Bowl. He was also named to the 2006 All-Pro team by the Associated Press[4]. Gould made a 25-yard field goal in overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allowing the Bears to emerge victorious and clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs[5]. On January 14, 2007, Gould kicked a 49-yard field goal in overtime against the Seattle Seahawks, enabling the Bears to win their first divisional playoff game since 1988 and advance to the NFC Championship game. The Bears won the NFC Championship game, but lost Super Bowl XLI, 29-17.
On May 12, 2008, Gould signed an extension with the Bears that would keep him on the team through the 2013 season[6]. The contract, reportedly worth $15.5 million plus a $4.25 million signing bonus, makes Gould the NFL's highest-paid kicker.[7]
[edit] Personal life
Gould was born to Cheryl and Robert Gould. His father was a three-time All-American soccer player who led Lock Haven University to a Division II national championship.[8] and was drafted by the St. Louis Steamers in the early 80s. His brother, Christopher, is currently a kicker and punter for the University of Virginia.[9]
Following his stint with Baltimore and before his tryout with Chicago, Gould worked construction at M&R Contracting in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania. He is good friends with teammates Patrick Mannelly and Brad Maynard, who directly assist Gould on every field goal and extra point attempt as the long snapper and holder.[10][11]
Gould performed Take me out to the ball game during the Seventh inning stretch at a Chicago Cubs' game. He later had an interview with WGN's commentators, Len Kasper and Bob Brenly.[10]
[edit] References
- ^ Altoona Mirror | Altoona Mirror
- ^ Scout.com: Gould Getting a Leg Up
- ^ http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/CHI/8958220
- ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070109/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_nfl_all_pro_team
- ^ Grossman stays hot in leading Bears to win - Chicago Bears
- ^ espn.com (2008-05-12). Year after Pro Bowl season, Bears sign kicker Gould to five-year extension. espn.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-12.
- ^ Seligman, Andrew (2008-05-12). Bears make Robbie Gould NFL's highest-paid kicker. The Mercury News. Retrieved on 2008-05-12.
- ^ Altoona Mirror | Altoona Mirror
- ^ CSTV.com: #1 in College Sports
- ^ a b WGN-TV, MLB Baseball : "St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs, April 22, 2007, 2007 Chicago Cubs season.
- ^ Students get lowdown on Bears kicker - DaBearz - Chicago Bears Message Board
[edit] External links
- Official Website
- Official Bears' Profile
- "Gould Getting a Leg Up", scout.com, January 22, 2007
- "Lock Haven native now living the American dream", The Altoona Mirror, January 28, 2007
| Preceded by Doug Brien |
Chicago Bears Kickers 2005-present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
||||||||||
