The Barefoot Boot

Born on May 23, 1959, Rich Karlis carved out a notable career as a barefoot kicker in the National Football League. His college career unfolded at the University of Cincinnati, where he honed the unique kicking style that would define his professional tenure. While specific details of his collegiate accolades are not readily available in the provided context, his progression to the NFL speaks to his talent and dedication during his time as a Bearcat.

Road to the Pro Game

Karlis entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, initially signing with the Houston Oilers (though he did not play regular season games for them). His opportunity arose with the Denver Broncos in 1982, where he secured the starting kicker position. This marked the beginning of a significant chapter in his career, establishing him as a reliable scorer for the Broncos.

Football Legacy

Rich Karlis is primarily remembered as the last of the full-time barefoot placekickers in the NFL, a distinctive characteristic that made him a memorable figure during the 1980s. He spent the majority of his career with the Denver Broncos, contributing to their success, including two Super Bowl appearances. Karlis etched his name in Broncos history by kicking the game-winning field goal in overtime against the Cleveland Browns in the 1986 AFC Championship game, a moment famously known as "The Drive." In Super Bowl XXI, he set a Super Bowl record at the time with a 48-yard field goal. After his time in Denver, Karlis also spent seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions before retiring. He holds a Super Bowl record for most field goal attempts (6) and shares the record for most consecutive field goals made by a rookie (13). In his NFL career, Karlis made 172 of 239 field goal attempts and 283 of 294 extra point attempts, totaling 799 points.

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

✦ Super Bowl Record (at the time): Longest Field Goal (48 yards, Super Bowl XXI)

✦ Super Bowl Record: Most Field Goal Attempts (6)

✦ NFL Record (tied): Most Consecutive Field Goals Made as a Rookie (13, 1982)

✦ Game-Winning Field Goal in the 1986 AFC Championship Game ("The Drive")

✦ Played in Super Bowl XXI and XXII

✦ NFL Career: 9 seasons (Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions)

✦ NFL Career Stats: 172 Field Goals Made (239 Attempts), 283 Extra Points Made (294 Attempts), 799 Points Scored