Longtime NFL kicker Robbie Gould announces retirement

Long-time NFL kicker Robbie Gould announced his retirement Thursday with a touching story in The Players’ Tribune. Despite never winning a Super Bowl and only making one All-Pro team in his career, Gould caped a 19-year run on a high note.

The undrafted Penn State alum began his career as a member of the Patriots practice squad – then the Ravens practice squad. He had already laced up his construction boots to begin his “new reality” when the Chicago Bears called him in during the 2005 season.

“On a Thursday afternoon in October, (the Bears owner’s) assistant called the number at the construction company office asking for me to come in for a tryout,” Gould wrote for the Players’ Tribune. “I greeted the call, listened briefly, and then, of course … hung up on her. I thought it was one of my college buddies pranking me.  

“Moments later, she calls back. I hang up again. Once more, I try putting the joke to rest. I quietly mumble, “O.K., O.K., real funny, guys. But seriously, I have to get back to work.” It wasn’t until the third time that I realized it wasn’t a joke, and to this day, I still have no idea how the Bears found me at that job.”

Gould launched headfirst into his career with the Bears. He began kicking just two days after signing his contract and never looked back. He ended up kicking for Chicago for 11 seasons and earned the All-Pro nod in his second year after going 32-for-36 on field goals that season.

“With an understanding that my opportunity in Chicago was short-lived, it was up to me to take that opportunity and make it a career for myself from that day forward,” Gould said. “From the get-go, my mentality was, ‘If you get the job, don’t let anyone else take it from you‘ … The rest is history. A three-week temporary job ended up lasting 11 amazing seasons in Chicago.”

Gould’s kick sent 49ers to NFC Championship

The former Nittany Lion had no shortage of impactful kicks in his 19 seasons, however, one in particular sticks with him. Tied up against the Packers with four seconds remaining, Gould kicked a 45-yarder to send the 49ers to the NFC Championship. Naturally, the former Bears star had no qualms about sending the Pack home in the playoffs.

“The temperature was below zero, and it felt exactly the way it did when I played in the Windy City. Snow was falling, and the ground was soft. It wasn’t ideal, but none of that mattered; as a kicker, it was one of those moments I lived for every time I stepped on the field. And then….

We nailed it right down the middle. Just like that, the game was over.”

Gould finished his career with a 86.5% hit rate on field goals, making 447 in regular season games for the Bears, Giants and 49ers. He was also 620-of-636 on extra points. The 41-year-old announced his retirement one day after his birthday. He’s looking forward to his new full-time job – Dad.

“My favorite team has been waiting for me at home to join them full-time — no contract needed. I’m excited to be more present with my family and to focus all of my attention on what matters to me outside of football… So, without interruption, I’m ready for this next stage of life. … In my book, a Little League position titled “Coach Rob” has a pretty nice ring to it.”