David Akers
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David Roy Akers (born September 12, 1974, in Lexington, Kentucky) is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.
He is considered one of the premium kickers in the National Football League. He attended college at the University of Louisville, but was not selected by any team in the NFL Draft. Between 1997 and 1998 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.
He made the longest field goal in Philadelphia on September 11th, 2003: a 57 yarder against the New England Patriots. He owns the team record for most points scored in one season (133, in 2002). He has also earned two Pro Bowl selections (2001 and 2002), and he scored the second most points ever in a playoff game in NFL history (15, in 2001 against the Chicago Bears).
He practices martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu and Shaolin Kempo, and it helps him to focus when he attempts a kick.
College Career
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.