Matt Bryant life and biography

Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002. He played college football at Baylor.

TRANSACTIONS
Signed as a free agent by the New York Giants in 2002 and was allocated to NFL Europe. Was released by the Giants and competed in four games between the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins in 2004. Signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent on March 2, 2005. Released by the Buccaneers on September 5, 2009 and competed with the Florida Tuskers of the UFL. Signed by the Falcons as a free agent on December 1, 2009.

CAREER

In 99 career games, has converted 145 of 178 field goals, a long kick of 62 yards and 191 of 195 PATs for a total of 626 career points. Kicked the second-longest game-winning field goal in NFL history after splitting the uprights on a 62-yarder against Philadelphia in 2006. Has earned NFC Player of the Week honors four times (twice with the Buccaneers and twice with the New York Giants) and player of the month honors once during his career. Has made nine game-winning field goals in his career, including seven as a member of Tampa Bay.

2009 (FALCONS)
After being signed by the Falcons as a free agent in December, competed in five games and split the uprights on seven of 10 field goal attempts while adding 10 PATs for a total of 31 points. Recorded 11 points against New Orleans (12/13) after converting three field goals and two PATs. Logged seven points against Buffalo (112/27), including connecting on a season-long 51-yard field goal in the second quarter. Notched eight points at Tampa Bay (1/2) by hitting two 36-yard field goals and two PATs.

2008 (BUCCANEERS)
Ranked fourth in the NFL with a club-record and career-high 131 points. His 32 field goals ranked second in the NFL, were a career-high and also tied the franchise single-season mark. Totaled an .842 field goal percentage which ranks as the fifth-best single-season mark in team history. Made three game-winning kicks on the season. Despite the passing of his youngest son, Tryson, earlier in the week, had a perfect afternoon against Green Bay (9/28) hitting field goals from 23, 36 and 24 yards while converting all three PATs. Was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts.

2007 (BUCCANEERS)
Totaled 118 points, his second-highest season total after converting 28 of 33 field goals (84.3 pct.) and all 34 extra point attempts. Tallied eight-consecutive field goals in the final three contests of the season. Split the uprights on all four field goal attempts against Washington (11/25), including two from 30-39 yards. Also added one extra point for a total of 13 points. Posted two contests where he converted all three field goal attempts (vs. Jacksonville 10/28 and Carolina 12/30).

2006 (BUCCANEERS)
Appeared in all 16 contests and finished with 22 field goals on 17 attempts (77.3 pct.), a long kick of 62 yards and 22 PATs for 73 points. Named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (7) after connecting on field goals from 30, 44 and 62 yards against Philadelphia (10/22). The 62-yarder was the second-longest game-winning field goal in NFL history. On two occasions, converted three of three field goals against Philadelphia (10/22) and Cleveland (12/14).

2005 (BUCCANEERS)
Saw action in 15 contests and made all 31 PATs while connecting on 21 of 25 field goals, with a then-career long 50-yarder against Atlanta (12/24). His .840 field goal percentage was the third-highest single-season mark in team history. His 21 field goals made were the most by a Buccaneer since kicker Martin Gramatica made 32 in 2002. Kicked the game-winning field goal against the Falcons (11/20) in a Week 11 victory and added his second game-winning field goal against Atlanta (12/24) from 41 yards. Totaled four field goals on four attempts against the New York Jets (10/9) for 12 points on the day.

2004 (COLTS/DOLPHINS)
Made three of four field goals and 12 PATs with the Colts and Dolphins. Made a career-high tying five PATs for the Colts in a Week 5 win against Oakland (10/10). For the Dolphins, went two of two on field goals with a long of 47 yards.

2003 (GIANTS)
Competed in 11 games, missing five with a hamstring injury with the Giants. Led the team in scoring with 50 points and connected on all 17 PATs and 11 of 14 field goal attempts. Opened the season by kicking a season-high three field goals from 24, 47 and 44 yards against St. Louis (9/7). Kicked the game-winning 29-yard field goal on the Giants' first possession in overtime at Washington (9/21).

2002 (GIANTS)
Finished sixth in the NFC with 108 points and connected on 30 of 32 PATs and 26 of 32 field goal attempts. Scored at least one point in every game and was twice named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, following games against Seattle (9/22) and Washington (11/17). Kicked a career-high tying four field goals at St. Louis (9/15), scoring a career-high 14 points.

COLLEGE
Ranks seventh on Baylor's all-time scoring list with 105 points (21 field goals and 42 extra points). His 21 field goals place him fifth in Bears history while his 42 of 42 PATs set the school record with a 100 percent success rate. Attended Trinity Valley Junior College for two years and was twice named a junior college All-America selection.

PERSONAL
Married to Melissa, and the couple has one son, Tre. The couple's youngest son, Matthew Tryson, passed away in September of 2008. Was the Buccaneers 2008 Ed Block Courage Award recipient. Following the 2008 campaign, was honored by the PFWA with the Halas Award which goes to the individual in the NFL who overcame the most adversity to succeed during a season. Was named the Buccaneers 2007 Man of the Year and a finalist for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his work on and off the football field. Attended Bridge City High School in Texas where his 52-yard field goal is still the school record.

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