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Nick Folk
refer to caption
Folk with the Patriots in 2020
No. 6 – New England Patriots
Position:Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1984-11-05) November 5, 1984 (age 40)
Hollywood, California[1]
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:222 lb (101 kg)
Career information
High school:Notre Dame
(Sherman Oaks, California)
College:Arizona
NFL draft:2007 / round: 6 / pick: 178
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Field goals made:285
Field goal attempts:350
Field goal %:81.4
Longest field goal:56
Touchbacks:156
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Nicholas Alexander Folk (born November 5, 1984) is an American football placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He has also played for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Folk earned Pro Bowl honors in his rookie season with the Cowboys, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft, and is the Jets' second-leading scorer at 729 points. In addition to his NFL career, Folk played for the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football (AAF).

Early years

Folk played high school football at Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, California, where as a senior, he was named "All-CIF" as a punter and second-team as a placekicker. Folk was also captain of the soccer team and earned All-CIF Division, all-league, and All-Valley honors.[2]

College career

Folk accepted a football scholarship from the University of Arizona. He became the starter as a sophomore. The longest field goal of his college career, a 52-yarder, came in 2005 against USC. During his sophomore year, he also took over the punting duties in addition to his kicking duties.[3]

He earned All-Pac-10 honors as a senior.[3] He finished his college career after making 30-of-47 field goals, 79-of-81 extra points, and 96 punts for 4,242 yards (44.2 avg.), including a long of 61 yards.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

A football player
Folk (center) with the Cowboys

2007 season

Folk was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round (178th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft.[4] Folk made the longest kick of his career to that point, a 53-yard game winner against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football during his rookie season.[5] That season, he became the first Cowboys rookie Pro Bowl kicker, after being selected to serve as the NFC's kicker during the 2008 Pro Bowl, having gone 26-of-31 in field goal attempts and making all 53 extra points he attempted during the season.[6] Folk also broke the Cowboys single-season record for most points by a placekicker (131) during his rookie season.[7]

2008 season

In 2008, Folk continued his strong performance as he made 91% of his kicks and once again made all of his extra point attempts.[8] Following the 2008 season, Folk discovered a problem with his hip that the Cowboys medical personnel diagnosed in his flexor, but it did not heal with the prescribed treatment.[9] After conducting more tests, it was discovered that Folk had a torn labrum[9] and underwent surgery in May 2009.[10] The normal recovery period would have had Folk returning near the beginning of training camp but Folk rushed his rehab and as a result, the hip did not heal properly.[9]

2009 season

Folk struggled as he entered his third season with the Cowboys in 2009. His performance was erratic, evidenced by the fact that he only made 64.3% of his field goals, converting 18 out of 28 opportunities.[8] On December 19, 2009, Folk attempted a 23-yard field goal against the New Orleans Saints that would have increased the Cowboys lead to ten points; earlier in the game, he had successfully kicked a 51-yard field goal. However, he missed as the ball hit the goal post.[11] Although the Cowboys won the game, the team lost faith in Folk and he was waived on December 21, and was replaced by Shaun Suisham.[7][11]

New York Jets

2010 season

On February 23, Folk signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets.[12] Head coach Rex Ryan mocked Folk's early performances during the team's offseason workouts;[13] however, after working out with special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff, who helped refine Folk's kicking technique after allowing his hip to fully recover, Folk began to gain consistency once again.[9][14]

On October 11, Folk became the first Jets kicker to kick five field goals in a home game since Pat Leahy achieved the feat in 1984.[15] Folk set a franchise record for the longest kick, making a career long kick of 56 yards against the Denver Broncos on October 17.[16]

During the 2010 season, Folk converted 30 field goals out of 39 opportunities. During the AFC Wild Card Round against the Indianapolis Colts on January 8, 2011, Folk kicked the game-winning field goal with only 3 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter,[17] helping the team make their second straight AFC Championship where they would end up losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

2011 season

During Week 1 on September 11, 2011, Folk kicked a 50-yard field goal with 27 seconds left to give the Jets a 27–24 victory over his former team, the Dallas Cowboys.[18] During the 2011 season, Folk converted 19 field goals out of 25 opportunities.

2012 season

Folk (left) playing for the New York Jets in 2012.

On March 14, Folk was re-signed by the Jets. During the 2012 season, Folk converted 21 field goals in 27 opportunities.

2013 season

In the preseason, Folk beat out Billy Cundiff for the Jets' starting kicker role. In the first game of the season, with 7 seconds left in the game, Folk successfully kicked a field goal from 48 yards to give the Jets an 18–17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In Week 5, Folk kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired in a 30–28 win at the Atlanta Falcons. During an AFC East rivalry game against the New England Patriots in Week 7, Folk kicked another gaming-winning field goal to give the Jets a 30–27 overtime victory.

Folk's career-high and Jets record of 23 consecutive field goals made was snapped after missing from 48 yards during a 37–14 loss against the Bills. He established a franchise record in field goal percentage (91.7), after making 33-of-36 field goal attempts and his 23 consecutive field goals also ranked second in Jets history.

2014 season

Set to become a free agent during the 2014 offseason, it was announced on February 28, 2014, that the Jets had placed the franchise tag on Folk.[19] On March 10, it was announced that Folk had signed a 4-year, $12 million contract.[20] He led the league in field goal attempts (39), tied for third in field goals made (32), and set a franchise record for the longest field goal made at home (55-yards).

2015 season

In pregame warm-ups against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he suffered a season-ending quad injury. On November 10, 2015, Folk was placed on the team's injured reserve.[21] In eight games, he finished the year making 13 field goals out of 16 opportunities. He also made all 19 extra point attempts.

2016 season

Returning from a quad injury, Folk played all 16 games in the 2016 season, making 27 field goals out of 31 opportunities. He also made 24 extra points out of 26 opportunities.

On February 23, 2017, he was released in a salary cap move. He ranks second on the franchise's all-time list in points scored (729), second in field goals made (175), and first in field goal percentage (81.3).[22]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On March 17, 2017, Folk was signed as a free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to compete with the previous year's second-round draft choice Roberto Aguayo. On August 12 the Buccaneers released Aguayo after missing two kicks in a preseason game. The Buccaneers then signed Zach Hocker to compete with Folk for the starting kicking job. On September 1, the Buccaneers released Zach Hocker giving Folk the starting job.[23] In Week 5 on Thursday Night Football, he missed three field goals, at 56, 49, and 31 yards, in a 19–14 loss to the New England Patriots.[24] On October 9, 2017, he was placed on injured reserve with a "minor injury" classification. By rule, following his removal from the team's injured reserve, he was required to be released to free agency.[25]

On February 22, 2018, Folk was released from the Buccaneers.

Arizona Hotshots

On January 25, 2019, Folk attended a tryout with the Chicago Bears, but was not offered a contract. The next day, he signed with the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football.[26] Folk was the record-holder for the longest AAF field goal at 55 yards. The league ceased operations in April 2019.[27]

New England Patriots

File:Nick Folk 2019.jpg
Folk before a game with the Patriots in 2019

On October 29, 2019, following the release of Mike Nugent, Folk was signed by the New England Patriots.[28] On November 28, 2019, it was revealed that Folk had undergone an appendectomy and was ruled out for at least a week.[29] He was released the following day, after the team signed Kai Forbath.[30] On December 6, 2019, Folk was re-signed by the Patriots.[31]

After becoming a free agent in March 2020, Folk had a tryout with the Cleveland Browns on August 19, 2020,[32] and visited the Patriots on August 22, 2020.[33] The Patriots re-signed Folk on August 24, 2020.[34] On September 5, 2020, Folk was released by the team and signed with the practice squad the next day.[35][36] The Patriots elevated Folk to the active roster ahead of their Week 1 game against the Miami Dolphins. In the game, Folk went 3-for-3 on PAT attempts, and 0-for-1 on field goal attempts. He reverted to the practice squad after the game, and he was promoted to the active roster on September 16.[37]

In Week 9 against his former team, the New York Jets on Monday Night Football, Folk was a perfect three for three on extra point attempts and three for three on field goal attempts including the 51 yard game winning field goal during the 30–27 win. Folk was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Week 9.[38] In Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals, Folk hit the 50 yard game winning field goal during the 20–17 win. Folk was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Week 12.[39]

NFL career statistics

Year Team GP Overall FGs PATs Kickoffs Points
Blk Lng FGM FGA Pct XPM XPA Pct Blk KO Avg TB Ret Avg
2007 DAL 16 1 53 26 31 83.9 53 53 100.0 0 94 61.7 4 86 23.0 131
2008 DAL 16 0 52 20 22 90.9 42 42 100.0 0 75 60.1 — 69 21.4 102
2009 DAL 14 0 51 18 28 64.3 36 36 100.0 0 2 8.5 — — — 90
2010 NYJ 16 1 56 30 39 76.9 37 37 100.0 0 81 61.6 7 73 19.6 127
2011 NYJ 16 0 51 19 25 76.0 44 44 100.0 0 81 62.9 17 61 21.2 101
2012 NYJ 16 3 54 21 27 77.8 30 30 100.0 0 68 62.2 12 53 22.0 93
2013 NYJ 16 0 54 33 36 91.7 27 27 100.0 0 73 62.8 30 42 22.3 126
2014 NYJ 16 2 55 32 39 82.1 23 23 100.0 0 69 62.9 21 46 21.6 119
2015 NYJ 8 0 55 13 16 81.3 19 19 100.0 0 39 63.2 13 24 23.2 58
2016 NYJ 16 3 51 27 31 87.1 24 26 92.3 0 70 63.2 39 29 22.9 105
2017 TB 4 0 50 6 11 54.5 7 9 77.8 0 18 61.9 13 4 21.5 25
2019 NE 7 1 51 14 17 82.4 12 12 100.0 0 1 41.0 — 1 5.0 54
2020 NE 16 0 51 26 28 92.9 30 33 90.9 0 3 57.3 — 3 18.7 108
Total 177 11 56 285 350 81.4 384 391 98.2 0 674 56.4 156 491 18.7 1239

Career awards and highlights

  • Pro Bowl (2007)
  • PFWA All-NFC (2007)
  • 3× AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 5 - 2010, Week 1 - 2013, Week 9 - 2013)
  • NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 5, 2007)
  • Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week (Week 5, 2007)
  • PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team (2007)

Personal life

Folk was born to Anton and Kathryn Folk.[1] His father, who was born in Austria to Bavarian parents, is an accountant.[1] Folk's mother is a pediatrician.[9] Nick Folk and his younger brothers, Erik and Gregory, are dual citizens of the United States and Germany, where his father grew up.[1]

Erik was the placekicker for the University of Washington Huskies football team through the 2011 season.[40] Gregory Folk was a soccer player for UCLA[41] and has played for Los Angeles Galaxy. The Folks' cousin, Blake Robinson, was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis when at eighteen months of age.[42] Folk partnered with the Children's Tumor Foundation to support the research of NF.[42]

He majored in marketing at Arizona.[1] He is an avid soccer fan, attends New York Red Bulls games when in the area, and is a member of the Viking Army Supporters Club. He is married wife Julianne with twin boys, a daughter, and another younger son.[43]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Nick Folk". University of Arizona Wildcats Official Athletic Site. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  2. ^ "Nick Folk". University of Arizona Athletics. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Nick Folk Kicks Way to Pro Bowl". University of Arizona Wildcats Official Athletic Site. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  4. ^ "Sixth Round: Cowboys Select K Nick Folk". Ranch Report. April 29, 2007. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  5. ^ "Cowboys overcome Romo's INTs, rally in final seconds to stun Bills". ESPN.com. October 8, 2007. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  6. ^ Hofeditz, Jordan (September 20, 2008). "Cowboys Kicker Picking Up Where He Left Off". Dallas Cowboys. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  7. ^ a b "Nick Folk Released; Cowboys Snag Shaun Suisham". The Landry Hat. December 21, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  8. ^ a b "Nick Folk NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  9. ^ a b c d e Graham, Tim (August 20, 2010). "Cardiac kid: Nick Folk gets pumping again". ESPN (AFC East Blog). Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  10. ^ "Folk has hip surgery". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 7, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  11. ^ a b "Suisham in, Folk out in Dallas". ESPN.com. December 21, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  12. ^ Schefter, Adam (February 23, 2010). "Jets sign Folk to one-year contract". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  13. ^ Graham, Tim (May 20, 2010). "What a joke: Ryan can only laugh at Folk". ESPN (AFC East Blog). Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  14. ^ Vrentas, Jenny (August 5, 2010). "Jets kicker Nick Folk can see improvement after offseason tweaks". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  15. ^ Zimmerman, Lisa (October 12, 2010), "So Far, So Good", TheJetsBlog.com, SNY, archived from the original on October 17, 2010, retrieved October 16, 2010
  16. ^ Cimini, Rich (October 17, 2010), "The Folk hero -- again", ESPNNewYork.com, ESPN.com, archived from the original on October 18, 2010, retrieved October 18, 2010
  17. ^ "Cimini: Folk hopes to erase memories of Brien". ESPN.com. January 21, 2011.
  18. ^ "Jets overcome deficit in 4th, top Cowboys on Folk's 50-yarder". Los Angeles Times. September 12, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  19. ^ Rosenthal, Gregg. "Nick Folk receives franchise tag from New York Jets". NFL.com. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  20. ^ "Jets re-sign kicker Folk to multiyear contract".
  21. ^ Sessler, Marc (November 10, 2015). "Jets sign Randy Bullock, put Nick Folk on IR". NFL.com. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  22. ^ Allen, Eric (February 23, 2017). "Jets Part Ways with K Nick Folk". NewYorkJets.com.
  23. ^ "Buccaneers Sign K Nick Folk". Buccaneers.com. March 18, 2017.
  24. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (October 6, 2017). "Nick Folk after close loss to Patriots: 'This one's on me'". NFL.com. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  25. ^ Smith, Scott (October 9, 2017). "Bucs Bring Back K Patrick Murray". Buccaneers.com.
  26. ^ Florio, Mike (January 26, 2019). "Nick Folk opts for the AAF". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  27. ^ Michael Rothstein, Seth Wickersham (June 13, 2019). "Inside the short, unhappy life of the Alliance of American Football". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  28. ^ "Report: Patriots Sign Nick Folk As New Kicker". Boston.CBSLocal.com. CBS Boston. October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  29. ^ "Nick Folk undergoes appendectomy". NFL. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  30. ^ "Patriots sign K Kai Forbath; Release K Nick Folk". Patriots.com. November 29, 2019.
  31. ^ "Patriots re-sign K Nick Folk; release DL Albert Huggins". Patriots.com. New England Patriots. December 7, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  32. ^ @AlbertBreer (August 19, 2020). "Today's workouts/visits" (Tweet). Retrieved August 21, 2020 – via Twitter.
  33. ^ @AlbertBreer (August 22, 2020). "Today's tryout/visit list" (Tweet). Retrieved August 24, 2020 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ "Patriots Re-sign K Nick Folk; Sign DL Micheal Barnett". Patriots.com. New England Patriots. August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  35. ^ "Patriots Release 24 Players". Patriots.com. September 5, 2020.
  36. ^ "Patriots Fill Out Their Practice Squad Roster". Patriots.com. September 6, 2020.
  37. ^ "Patriots Sign Two Players to the 53-Man Roster from the Practice Squad; Add Two Players to the Practice Squad". Patriots.com. September 16, 2020.
  38. ^ Gordon, Grant (November 11, 2020). "Vikings RB Dalvin Cook, Bills QB Josh Allen lead Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  39. ^ Gordon, Grant (December 3, 2020). "Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill, Vikings QB Kirk Cousins among Players of the Week". www.nfl.com. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  40. ^ http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208013629&SPID=126613&SPSID=749525 Huskies Can Thank Soccer For Delivering Their Folk Hero
  41. ^ "Greg Folk profile at UCLA website".
  42. ^ a b "Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl Kicker, Nick Folk, to Kick for a Cure to NF", CTF.org, Children's Tumor Foundation, archived from the original on October 18, 2010, retrieved October 18, 2010
  43. ^ SNY (April 13, 2015), Jets Nation: Nick Folk and Family, retrieved August 13, 2017
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