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David Akers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| David Akers | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Date of birth | December 9, 1974 (age 32) |
| Place of birth |  Lexington, Kentucky |
| Position(s) | Kicker |
| College | Louisville |
| Pro Bowls | 2001, 2002, 2004 |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1998 1999 1999-Current |
Washington Redskins Berlin Thunder Philadelphia Eagles |
David Roy Akers (born December 9, 1974, in Lexington, Kentucky) is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. The left-footed Akers is considered one of the premier kickers in the National Football League.
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He attended Tates Creek High School in Lexington, moving on to attend college at the University of Louisville. At the University of Louisville, during his four year career, Akers kicked a school-record 36 field goals (with a long of 51 yards against Texas A&M University), and ranks second in the University of Louisville's all-time scoring list, with 219 points.
Between 1997 and 1998, as an undrafted free agent, he spent time trying to make the team with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and the Washington Redskins. He was signed by the Redskins in 1998 and played in one game for them, making two extra points but missing two field goal attempts.
He was later released by Washington, and was claimed from waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. He was then allocated to NFL Europe, where he played one season for the Berlin Thunder. He impressed scouts with his power and accuracy, and earned the permanent kicker spot for the Eagles in 2000.
Akers proved to be one of the biggest special teams surprises in all of the NFL that season. He made 29 out of 33 field goals (an 87.9% success rate), and had a team-record 121 points. Akers also gained a reputation as a clutch kicker, which helped earn him NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November 2000. He made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2001 as he went 26 for 31, making a team-record 17 consecutive field goals during the season.
Akers' best statistical season was 2002 when he connected on 30 of 34 field goals (88.2%), scored a whopping team-record 133 points, and made another Pro Bowl. He got less chances in 2003, but still made 24 of 29 field goals. The highlight of his season was when he made the longest field goal in Eagles' history on September 14, 2003, a 57-yarder against the New England Patriots at the new Lincoln Financial Field. In 2004, Akers connected on 84.4% of his field goals and continued his to build his reputation as one the most consistent kickers in the league's history.
Injuries finally got to Akers in 2005 when he tore his hamstring in his non-kicking leg during the opening kickoff of a game against the Oakland Raiders on September 25, 2005. Akers left the game, but returned in the second half with a heavily-taped leg to make two extra points and then kick the game-winning 28-yard field goal before collapsing in pain as his teammates mobbed him. He missed the next four games and finished the season a somewhat disappointing 16 for 22, but still made his fourth Pro Bowl.
In 2006, Akers was injury-free, but only kicked 18 for 23, and has shown signs that his range may be decreasing.
- He scored the second most points ever in a playoff game in NFL history (15 on January 19, 2002) when the Eagles beat the Chicago Bears 33-19.
- In the 2006 Hall of Fame Game between the Eagles and the Oakland Raiders, Akers made a 55-yard field goal, the longest field goal in the Hall of Fame Game's history (breaking the previous record of 54 yards).
- Holds the Eagles' records for most consecutive field goals (17 in 2001), most points in a season (133 in 2002), and longest field goal (57-yards in 2003).
- Akers practices martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu and Shaolin Kempo, and it helps him to focus when he attempts a kick. He does a bow after each successful kick.
- Akers' jersey is one of the few kickers' jerseys to be sold by a club.
- ESPN commentator Chris Berman nicknamed him "Green Akers" (a reference to the television series Green Acres) and regularly sings the theme song from the show when one of his kicks is shown as a highlight.
- He and his wife, Erika, reside in Lexington, KY during the offseason with their 4-year-old son Luke. They also have a daughter Halley. The Akers vacation at their summer home in Ocean City, NJ.