Neil Rackers
 Rackers at Redskins training camp in 2012. | |||||||||||
No. 5, 1, 4 | |||||||||||
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| Placekicker | |||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||
| Date of birth: August 16, 1976 | |||||||||||
| Place of birth: St. Louis, Missouri | |||||||||||
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Career information | |||||||||||
| College: Illinois | |||||||||||
| NFL Draft: 2000 / Round: 6 / Pick: 169 | |||||||||||
| Debuted in 2000 for the Cincinnati Bengals | |||||||||||
| Last played in 2011 for the Houston Texans | |||||||||||
Career history
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| Roster status: Unrestricted free agent | |||||||||||
Career highlights and awards
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Career NFL statistics as of Week 16, 2011 | |||||||||||
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Neil William Rackers[2] (born August 16, 1976) is a retired[3] American football placekicker of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Illinois.
Rackers has also been a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and Washington Redskins.
Early years
Rackers attended Aquinas-Mercy High School in St. Louis, Missouri and was a student and a letterman in football, soccer, and baseball. In football, he was a two-year letterman and an All-Conference selection. In soccer, he led his team to consecutive State Titles and was an All-State selection. In baseball, he was an All-Conference selection.
Professional career
Cincinnati Bengals
Rackers was drafted in the sixth round of 2000 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played three seasons for the team, making 44 out of 67 field goals.
Arizona Cardinals
Rackers reached and or surpassed 20 touchbacks in a season twice in his career, and once had a streak of 31 consecutive field goals made before missing a 43-yarder in 2005 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. On New Year's Day, 2006, Rackers kicked his 40th field goal of the season, an NFL record. He was rewarded with a spot in that year's Pro Bowl. He is also one of the four active players to attempt a fair catch kick.
Houston Texans
Rackers was signed by the Houston Texans on April 5, 2010, and replaced Kris Brown later for the 2010 season, and made his first two field goals as a Texan on September 12.
Washington Redskins
Rackers signed a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins on April 24, 2012 and competed with Graham Gano for a spot on the team.[4] On August 27, the Redskins released Rackers.[5]
Retirement
Billy Cundiff's charity confirmed that Rackers retired and would join his cause to cure ovarian cancer.[6]
Comeback attempt
After a poor start to the season, the Houston Texans will bring in Rackers, Shayne Graham, and Justin Meadlock to do a workout on November 5, 2013.[7] However, Rackers told a TV station in Houston that he was informed that the team will stick with Randy Bullock.
References
- ↑ "Houston Texans at Denver Broncos - December 26, 2010". Pro-Football-Reference.com. 2010-12-26. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
- ↑ "Rackers on Pro-Football-Reference". rbref.com. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
- ↑ http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/7/prweb10904258.htm
- ↑ Maske, Mark (April 24, 2012). "Kicker Neil Rackers says he’s signed with the Redskins". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
- ↑ Jones, Mike (August 27, 2012). "Redskins release Neil Rackers". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
- ↑ http://www.beyondovariancancer.com/2013/07/neil-rackers-joins-kicking-for-the-dream.html
- ↑ http://tireball.com/nfl/2013/11/04/texans-to-work-out-trio-of-kickers-on-tuesday/