Nathaniel James Kaeding (born March 26, 1982) is an American football placekicker who plays for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft in the 3rd round with a pick acquired from the Phillip Rivers-Eli Manning trade. He played college football for the University of Iowa, won the Lou Groza Award and earned All-American recognition. As of the completion of the 2011 season, Kaeding was the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history at 86.5%.
[edit] Early years
Kaeding was born in Iowa City, Iowa. He attended Iowa City West High School, and played high school football for the West Trojans.
[edit] College career
Kaeding attended the University of Iowa, where he played for the Iowa Hawkeyes football team from 2000 to 2003. He won the Lou Groza Award in 2002 and is the all time leading scorer. In high school, he played in state championship games in three different sports: (basketball, football and soccer) at Iowa City West High School.[1]
[edit] Professional career
In January 2005, Kaeding became only the second rookie in NFL history to attempt a potential game-winning field goal in the playoffs in the 4th quarter or overtime. His 40-yard field goal attempt missed, and the Chargers lost in the wild card round to the New York Jets, who won the game on a Doug Brien field goal.
In the 2007 Pro Bowl, Kaeding kicked a game winning 21-yard field goal with four seconds left.
Kaeding's postseason struggles continued in the 2006 NFL Playoffs, when he missed a potential game tying 54-yard field goal attempt against the New England Patriots. He had not missed a field goal at home in the previous two years prior to that 54-yard attempt.
Kaeding suffered a fractured fibula when he made a tackle on the opening kickoff against the Denver Broncos on December 24, 2007 and played the final 5 games of the season with the fractured fibula.[2]
In the 2007 playoffs, Kaeding missed a field goal each in the Wild Card weekend game against Tennessee (which San Diego won) and against the Indianapolis Colts (which San Diego also won). Nate's streak of consecutive playoff games with a missed field goal stood at 4 but was ended with a made field goal from 40 yards against New England.
In the 2009 NFL season, Kaeding connected on 91.4% (32/35) of his field goals, a percentage that led the NFL. His season long of 54 yards came in a Week 15 victory over Cincinnati Bengals. However, in the AFC Divisional Round against the New York Jets, Kaeding's postseason struggles continued as he missed all 3 of his attempted field goals, from 37, 57, and 40 yards. The Jets won the game 17-14. In the postseason, Kaeding is 3-for-9 on field goal attempts at home.[3]
In the 2011 NFL season, Kaeding was injured on the first play of the season when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, causing him to miss the duration of the season and necessitated the signing of Nick Novak.[4] Kaeding ended the 2011 season as the NFL’s most accurate kicker of all-time, converting 86.5% of his field goals attempts.[5][6]
[edit] Personal life
In January 2008, Kaeding began writing weekly movie reviews for CorridorBUZZ, a daily arts & entertainment web site serving the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids, Iowa corridor. He owns a restaurant in Iowa City called Short's Burgers
Nate and his wife, Samantha, have two sons, Jack and Wyatt.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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| Name |
Kaeding, Nate |
| Alternative names |
Kaeding, Nathaniel James Kaeding |
| Short description |
All-American college football player, professional football player, placekicker |
| Date of birth |
March 26, 1982 |
| Place of birth |
Iowa City, Iowa, United States |
| Date of death |
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