Rob Bironas life and biography

James Robert Douglas Bironas: The Field Goal Maestro

James Robert Douglas Bironas (January 29, 1978 – September 20, 2014) was a renowned American football placekicker, leaving an indelible mark on the sport during his professional career, primarily with the Tennessee Titans. His journey from undrafted free agent to Pro Bowl selection showcases a career defined by dedication and success.

Early Life and High School Success:

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Bironas attended Trinity High School, where he excelled in multiple sports. A four-year varsity letterman in soccer, a two-year varsity letterman in football and swimming, and an additional one-year letterman in track and field, Bironas showcased his athletic prowess. Graduating in 1996, he laid the foundation for a future in sports.

College Football Career:

Bironas kicked off his college football journey at Auburn University, making a significant impact from 1997 to 1999. Despite facing a coaching change in his sophomore year, he displayed remarkable accuracy, becoming a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award in 1998. Transferring to Georgia Southern University for his final year, Bironas contributed to winning the 2000 NCAA Division I-AA National Championship.

A Rollercoaster Path to the NFL:

His NFL journey commenced with the Green Bay Packers in 2002, although he was released before the season began. Bironas navigated through Arena Football, spending time with the Charleston Swamp Foxes and the New York Dragons. Brief offseason stints with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Steelers followed.

Titans Triumph:

In 2005, Bironas signed with the Tennessee Titans, marking the beginning of a nine-season tenure. His inaugural season showcased his accuracy with 23 of 29 field goal attempts (79.3%) and 30 of 32 extra points (93.8%). He finished the season ranked among the top in touchbacks in the AFC and NFL.

Historic Moments and Recognition:

Bironas's career reached new heights in 2006 when he kicked four game-winning field goals, including a remarkable 60-yarder against the Indianapolis Colts. The 2007 season solidified his status as a top-tier kicker. Named AFC Player of the Month for October, he set an NFL record with eight field goals in a single game, earning a spot in the All-Pro Team and the Pro Bowl.

Contract Extensions and Releases:

The Titans recognized Bironas's exceptional talent, tendering him a series of contracts. On February 28, 2008, he received a one-year, $1.417 million contract as a restricted free agent. A four-year, $12 million contract with $5 million guaranteed followed on February 18, 2009. Contract extensions in 2013 further demonstrated the Titans' confidence in his abilities.

Legacy and Tragic End:

On September 20, 2014, tragedy struck as James Bironas lost his life in a car crash. His legacy lives on, not just in the statistics but in the memories of fans who witnessed his precision on the field and the numerous game-winning kicks that etched his name in NFL history.

A powerful right-footed kicker in his sixth NFL season, Rob Bironas has earned the right to be named among the best players at his position. Statistically one of the top 10 kickers in NFL history, he made 84.5 percent of his field goals in the first five years of his career and became one of the top three scorers in club history.

Rob Bironas' Career highlights:

• Bironas enters the 2010 season as the sixth-ranked kicker in NFL history in field goal accuracy, connecting on 84.5 percent of his attempts (136 of 161).
• Only Al Del Greco (1,060 points) and George Blanda (598) have accounted for more points than Bironas in the history of the Titans/Oilers organization. Bironas passed Tony Zendejas (548) for third place on the franchise’s scoring list on Dec. 13, 2009.
• From 2005-09, Bironas made nine game-winning field goals, a total that put him second in club annals behind Al Del Greco (10). In 2006, he set a franchise record with four game-winners.
• Also from 2005-09, Bironas made 136 total field goals, the most by any NFL player during that time span.
• In 2008, Bironas was second in the AFC (seventh in the NFL) in scoring with 127 total points. He made 16 field goals of 40 or more yards to set a team record.
• The 2007 Pro Bowl and AP All-Pro selection owns club records for longest field goal (60 yards), most field goals in a game (eight, also an NFL record), most consecutive games with a field goal (19) and most consecutive field goals (20, tied Al Del Greco).
• Also one of the NFL’s best kickoff specialists, Bironas converted 17.6 percent of his kickoffs (66 of 376) into touchbacks from 2005-09, ranking sixth in the league in that time span.

Rob Bironas' Career at TITANS TIDBITS:

• The Rob Bironas Fund was created to primarily assist with music education efforts in Middle Tennessee.
• Bironas donated his cleats and the football used to make his NFL-record eighth field goal in a game at Houston (10/21/07) to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
• Bironas’ father, Larry, owns Bironas, Inc., a building automation company in Louisville, Ky. While Rob was out of football from 2001-02, he worked for his father and older brother, Greg, doing sales and marketing for the business.
• During his time in Charlotte, N.C., while he was playing for the AFL’s Carolina Cobras, he took a second job working in security and loss prevention at a Best Buy store.
• Also while in Charlotte, Bironas helped coach kickers at Providence High School.
• After transferring from Auburn, Bironas spent one semester at Georgia Southern before returning to complete his marketing degree at Auburn in spring 2001.

Rob Bironas' Career Transactions:

• The Louisville, Ky., native originally signed in the NFL with the Packers as a free agent on April 26, 2002 and was waived by the Packers on Aug. 1, 2002.
• Signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Aug. 16-24, 2003.
• Signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers from June 10-Sept. 5, 2004.
• Signed by the Titans on June 21, 2005.

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