I think he was 29-29 in playoff FG's in his career. He also gave no ****'s. There are videos of him pre-game practicing amongst the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, kicking over opposing team's warm-ups, etc.
Posted on 12/07/2023 6:02:33 PM PST by FLNittany
An illustrious kicking career has reached its end.
Veteran placekicker Robbie Gould announced his retirement after 18 NFL seasons on Thursday via an article published by The Players' Tribune.
"Now, although football has been a really great part of my life for the past 18 years, it is with the utmost regard and appreciation that I officially announce my retirement from the National Football League," Gould wrote in the piece, in which he recapped his winding NFL journey that saw him kick for three franchises (the Bears, Giants and 49ers).
"Will I miss it? Absolutely. The fire to play and to compete definitely still burns, and I'm not sure that will ever go away. As I look back over the entirety of my career, it's kind of ironic because the thing I'm going to miss the most isn't really even all that much about the actual game of football. I'll miss being a part of a football team. The plane rides, the pregame meals, the companionship, the locker room culture, the workouts, and the grind of one unit trying to accomplish a common goal of winning -- that part can't be replaced.
"As the football chapter, this 'good thing,' comes to an end, it also opens a door for new endeavors that come my way. Charity work is an integral part of my core values, and I'm looking forward to pursuing more opportunities to give back. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also thinking about all of the golf courses I've yet to visit. And in my book, a Little League position titled 'Coach Rob' has a pretty nice ring to it."
Gould began his career as an undrafted free agent signed by Chicago out of Penn State in 2005. He would spend the next 11 seasons in a Bears uniform, converting 85.4 percent of his 323 attempted field goals and 99 percent of his point-after attempts, earning a first-team All-Pro selection and Pro Bowl nod in only his second season in 2006. In that campaign, his Bears reached Super Bowl XLI, where they fell to Peyton Manning's Colts in Miami.
Gould would make three playoff appearances with the Bears (2005, 2006 and 2010), converting every single kicking attempt (6 for 6 on field goals, 19 for 19 on extra points). He'd move onto New York where he spent one season as the Giants' kicker (2016) for a squad that reached Wild Card Weekend before bowing out against the Green Bay Packers. At 34 years old, Gould had already been in the NFL for a dozen seasons, but wasn't done with professional football, moving west to San Francisco. He'd serve as a reliable kicker for the 49ers for the next six seasons, posting a field-goal percentage of 87.5 while converting 96.1 percent of point-after attempts.
He unceremoniously departed San Francisco following the 2022 season, noting he'd prefer to play somewhere closer to family in Chicago in the twilight of his career. That opportunity never arrived for Gould, who spent most of the 2023 season out of work before calling it a career.
Gould retires with a career field-goal percentage of 86.5 and extra-point conversion rate of 97.5 percent, walking away as one of the most trustworthy kickers of his generation. He accounted for 1,961 points scored in his 18 NFL seasons, and as an avid golfer, he'll hope to take that consistency to the course, where he'll enjoy rounds during a retirement focused on enjoying life as a retiree and dedicated father to two young boys.
I think he was 29-29 in playoff FG's in his career. He also gave no ****'s. There are videos of him pre-game practicing amongst the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, kicking over opposing team's warm-ups, etc.
Shame that he’s retiring. It’s one of those free agency catch-22s He’s so reliable that he feels like he deserves big $$$, and that’s certainly understandable. And yet his age and salary demands meant no takers among NFL teams. I can guarantee one thing... the first team that loses a playoff game due to a missed field goal will have fans screaming, “They should have picked up Robbie Gould!”
If you needed a 47 yarder in the snow or rain w/ 1 second on the clock - in the playoffs - he was your guy.
Not many could do what he did for sure.
Glad he was so successful afterwards. No doubt, hall of famer. IMO of course.
Really happy for Robbie Gould, in part because that field goal was rubbing Bears fans noses in their teams stupidity in letting him go. Very sad for my Packers because they lost.
I remember him in Chicago. He did a great job for the Bears.
I hope he enjoys retirement.
Yup. Bad move by Chicago.
Bears management sucks, and it certainly shows this season…..
Not to mention their performance.😖
Robbie’s PSU stats:
Career stats
2001
Extra Points: 29-for-29 (100 percent)
Field Goals: 6-for-10 (60.0 percent)
Points: 47
2002
Extra Points: 42-for-45 (93.3 percent)
Field Goals: 17-for-22 (77.3 percent)
Points: 93
2003
Extra Points: 22-for-24 (91.7 percent)
Field Goals: 9-for-16 (56.3 percent)
Points: 49
The Chicago Bears will NEVER win another super bowl as long as the McCaskey Family owns them.
They'll only stop owning them when Virginia McCaskey dies. The kids don't want the team and the headaches of NFL franchise ownership. They want to sell the team, take the money and run.
To which I say GOOD, though I don't wish Virginia McCaskey (near 100 years old) any ill will.
All great points! I totally agree. I remember when Michael McCaskey was the GM. His mother ended up firing him.
All respect to her, but yes, they need new ownership.
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