Nathaniel James Kaeding (born March 26, 1982) is an American former football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, earning consensus All-American honors and winning the Lou Groza Award. He was selected in the third round of the 2004 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers,[1] where he played for nine seasons.
 Kaeding with the Chargers in 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Position: | Placekicker | ||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born: | March 26, 1982 Iowa City, Iowa, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 187 lb (85 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||
| High school: | Iowa City West (Iowa City, Iowa) | ||||||||||||||||||
| College: | Iowa (2000–2003) | ||||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2004 / round: 3 / pick: 65 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||||
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During his career, he was twice named both to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team. However, he struggled in the playoffs, making just 8 of 15 (53.3%) field goals. He was released by San Diego midway through the 2012 season after a groin injury. He finished the season with the Miami Dolphins before retiring.
Early life
editKaeding was born in Iowa City, Iowa. He attended Iowa City West High School, and played high school football for their Trojans team. He won two state championships as the team's kicker, and The Des Moines Register named him Iowa High School Athlete of the Year in 2000.[2] In high school, he played in state championship games in three different sports: (basketball, football and soccer) at Iowa City West High School.[3]
College career
editKaeding attended the University of Iowa, where he played for the Hawkeyes from 2000 to 2003. He earned a teaching certificate in secondary education while at Iowa.[4] He won the Lou Groza Award in 2002 and is the school's all-time leading scorer.
Professional career
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0+1⁄4 in (1.84 m) |
187 lb (85 kg) |
30+3⁄8 in (0.77 m) |
8+7⁄8 in (0.23 m) | |||||||||
| All values from NFL Combine[5] | ||||||||||||
San Diego Chargers
editDuring the 2004 season, Kaeding attempted to become the first rookie since the 1970 season to attempt a game-winning field goal in the playoffs in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter or in overtime.[a] His 40-yard field goal attempt on a wet field 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.[7]
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. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl that season, where he kicked the game-winning 21-yard field goal with four seconds left in the game.
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.[8]
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). His 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 2009, Kaeding was tied for the NFL lead for most field goals made (32) and was one of only four to convert on over 90% of his attempts (91.4%).[2] 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 three of his attempted field goals, from 36, 57, and 40 yards; the Chargers lost the game 17–14.[7][9] His three misses in the game were a career-high and matched his entire total from the regular season.[2] In his postseason career, Kaeding was 3-for-9 on field goal attempts at home and 8-for-15 (53.3%) overall in eight playoff games.[7][10]
In 2011, 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. Kaeding ended the 2011 season as the NFL's most accurate kicker of all time, converting 86.5% of his field goals attempts.[11][12] He competed for his job in 2012 and beat out Novak, who also had a strong showing.[13] However, Kaeding suffered a right groin injury and was replaced by Novak in the week 4 game against Kansas City.[14] After missing three games, Kaeding was placed on injured reserve with a minor injury designation that required the Chargers to release him after he recovered.[15][16][17] On October 30, Kaeding became an unrestricted free agent after he was released by the Chargers upon a physical; he collected over $1 million in termination pay. Kaeding made all seven of his field goal attempts with the Chargers in 2012, and left the team as the most accurate kicker in NFL history at 87% (180-of-207).[7][15]
Miami Dolphins
editOn December 21, 2012, Kaeding signed with the Miami Dolphins, replacing incumbent Dan Carpenter, who was out with a groin injury.[18] He missed two of three field goals as a Dolphin, making a 45-yard attempt while missing from 41 and having a 46-yard attempt blocked.[19][20] His career percentage dropped to 86.2, falling to second behind Mike Vanderjagt (86.5).[19]
Retirement
editOn April 2, 2013, Kaeding signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[21] However, he suffered another groin injury during the offseason. On May 2, he retired from the NFL, citing "chronic issues" with his groin muscle.[22]
In 2019, he worked with the Minnesota Vikings as a part-time kicking consultant.[23]
Personal life
editIn 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 co-owns a restaurant in Iowa City called Short's Burgers as well,[24] as another named Pullman Bar and Diner.
Nate and his wife, Samantha (née Gervich), have two sons, Jack and Wyatt, and a daughter, Tess.[25]
Notes
edit- ^ Jim O'Brien won Super Bowl V for the Baltimore Colts on a 32-yard field goal with five seconds left in the fourth quarter.[6]
References
edit- ^ "2004 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c Howlett, Dylan (July 7, 2016). "Pity The Kicker". SI.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2017.
- ^ "National Football League". Nate Kaeding. Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ^ "San Diego Chargers". Nate Kaeding. Archived from the original on November 18, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
- ^ "Nate Kaeding, Iowa, K, 2004 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- ^ "N.Y. Jets 20, San Diego 17". USA today. January 8, 2005. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Nate Kaeding waived by San Diego Chargers after injury". NFL.com. Associated Press. October 30, 2012. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012.
- ^ Acee, Kevin (January 26, 2008). "San Diego Chargers - Kaeding played on fractured left leg". SignOnSanDiego.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
- ^ "New York Jets at San Diego Chargers - January 17, 2010". pro-football-reference.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012.
- ^ "Kaeding struggles in playoff loss". kffl.com. January 18, 2012. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012.
- ^ "Chargers K Kaeding out for season after hurting left knee on opening kickoff". The Washington Post. Associated Press. September 12, 2011. Archived from the original on December 30, 2018.
- ^ Acee, Kevin (January 17, 2012). "Kaeding ahead of schedule, looks forward to resuming role". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012.
- ^ Gehlken, Michael (September 1, 2012). "VETERANS CESAIRE, HESTER AMONG CHARGERS' 22 CUTS". U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013.
- ^ Gehlken, Michael (September 29, 2012). "Chargers going with 3 corners against Chiefs". U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Gehlken, Michael (October 30, 2012). "Nate Kaeding passes physical, no longer a Charger". U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013.
- ^ "Bears defeat Lions to maintain NFC North lead". Newsday. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
The Chargers placed kicker Nate Kaeding on injured reserve and plan to release him after he recovers from a groin injury . . .
- ^ Gehlken, Michael; Acee, Kevin (October 23, 2012). "KAEDING'S DAYS AS CHARGERS KICKER ARE OVER". U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013.
- ^ Walker, James (December 21, 2012). "Dolphins sign kicker Nate Kaeding". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ a b Beasley, Adam H. (December 30, 2012). "Davone Bess, Nolan Carroll end year on shelf for Miami Dolphins". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013.
- ^ David, Craig (December 23, 2012). "Report Card: Bush, bunch of turnovers too much for Bills". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015.
- ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (April 2, 2013). "Steve Smith, Nate Kaeding join Tampa Bay Buccaneers". National Football League. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
- ^ "Nate Kaeding to retire from NFL". Press-Citizen. May 2, 2013.[dead link]
- ^ Teope, Herbie (March 29, 2019). "Vikings hire ex-kicker Nate Kaeding as consultant". NFL.com. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ O’Leary, Josh (May 17, 2014). "Football lessons pay off for Kaeding". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Iowa Hawkeyes news, game analysis, stats, photos, videos - Hawk Central". Hawk Central. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
External links
edit- Career statistics from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference
Media related to Nate Kaeding at Wikimedia Commons
