FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons today signed 15-year veteran kicker Jason Elam.
Elam, 5-11, 200 pounds, has totaled 1,786 total points, which ranks fifth among NFL kickers all-time. He has converted 395 of 490 field goal attempts (80.6) while splitting the uprights on all but three extra points kicks (601 of 604).
“We’re extremely excited to add a kicker of Jason’s caliber,” said Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith. “He’s a proven winner in this league and we are happy that he chose to become a Falcon.”
Elam’s 15 previous seasons have all been spent in a Denver Broncos uniform after being selected in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. Last year, he passed quarterback John Elway in games played by a Bronco (236) while recording 114 points. Elam tallied four game-winning field goals in 2007, which were the most by an NFL kicker in a single season since 1990. He also earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after hitting a game-tying field goal and the game-winning field goal against the Oakland Raiders in Week 2.
The Brookwood High School graduate (Snellville, Ga.) will enter the 2008 campaign riding a consecutive field goal streak of 15 successful kicks, the third highest streak in his career. Elam also holds several NFL records including a tie for the longest field goal (63 yards) vs. Jacksonville on Oct. 25, 1998, career extra point percentage (99.5) and 100-point seasons (15).
Along with three Pro Bowl selections (1995, ’98 and 2001), Elam was voted NFL Special Teams Player of the Year in 2001 after hitting 31 of 36 field goals en route to a 124-point season. With his 1,786 career points, he leads the League in points scored from 1993-2006. He is also second in the NFL in field goals made during that range behind Matt Stover (Baltimore) with 395 successful kicks. Along with registering 24 game-winning or game-saving field goals, Elam etched his name in the Super Bowl record book with the second longest field goal in the championship game’s history (51 yards) in Super Bowl XXXII.
In 2006, Elam posted his best field goal percentage in a season after connecting on 27 of 29 kicks (93.1). His personal record for points in a season came in 1995 after splitting the uprights on 31 of 39 field goals attempts while adding 39 extra points for 132 total points.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Elam spent his offseasons in Atlanta up until 2003 and he still has family -- including his mother -- living in the area.
A world traveler, pilot and published author, Elam is also know for his extensive work in the community. He and his wife, a former Broncos Cheerleader, have four children.
MORE ON JASON ELAM:
- BLOG: J. Michael Moore recounts his time with the Broncos and Jason Elam
- AJC.COM: Brookwood product returns to Atlanta
- WIKIPEDIA: Jason Elam Bio
- ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS: Elam reflecting on a different chapter his his life (October 2007)
- BRONCOS TV: Jason Elam 2007 highlights
- YOUTUBE.COM: Jason Elam reaches 1,600 points | Fake FG, punt | Game-winning FG
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