Stephen Gostkowski
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Early Life and High School Career
Stephen Gostkowski was born in 1984 and attended Madison Central High School in Mississippi. At Madison Central, he was a standout athlete, earning varsity letters four times in both soccer and football, and three times in baseball. He was named an All-State honoree in all three sports. Gostkowski set the school record for the longest field goal with a 55-yard kick. Notable teammates during his high school years included Parys Haralson, future linebacker for the New Orleans Saints, and Chris Spencer, who later played for the Tennessee Titans. Jerious Norwood, a running back for the Atlanta Falcons, was among his opponents.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 28 Jan, 1984
- Age
- 36 yrs
- Occupations
- American football player
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- Citizenship
- United States of America
- Birth Place
- Baton Rouge
- Education
- Madison Central High School
- Gender
- Male
- Description
- American football player, placekicker
- Net Worth 2021
- 15 million
People Mentioned in This Biography
College Football and Baseball at University of Memphis
Gostkowski played both college football and baseball at the University of Memphis. As a kicker, he quickly gained recognition for his consistency and accuracy, eventually becoming the most accurate kicker in school history. His performance on the football team earned him respect and a lasting reputation as one of the most reliable placekickers in college football.
Entry into the NFL with the New England Patriots
Stephen Gostkowski was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He was one of only two kickers drafted that year. Making the roster as a rookie, he succeeded legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri and quickly established himself as a dependable performer in high-pressure situations.
Career Achievements and Records
Gostkowski became known as a prolific and consistent scorer in the NFL. He is the second player in NFL history to record 500 points within his first four seasons and surpassed 1,000 points by his eighth season, despite missing part of the 2010 season due to a leg injury. He holds the NFL record for the highest average points per game over a career.
In 2014, he surpassed Adam Vinatieri to become the Patriots’ all-time leading scorer. Gostkowski also leads the franchise in total field goals. He was the first player since the AFL-NFL merger to lead the league in scoring in two consecutive seasons. Additionally, he holds the NFL record for most consecutive successful extra point attempts over multiple seasons.
