Nov 4, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears kicker
Robbie Gould(9) enjoys a moment during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
We’re heading into the dog days of the offseason, counting the days until the Chicago Bears 2014 season kicks off. Thanks to Bear Goggles On contributor and the fine editor of Blackhawk Up Keith Schultz’s suggestion, we’re going to do a Top 100 list of the all time Chicago Bears. It’s a fun way to pass the time and take a stroll down memory lane.
Our Top 100 Countdown brings us to #64 on our list and it’s one of the current Chicago Bears, kicker Robbie Gould. It’s tough to make the list as a kicker, but as one of the top kickers in the league certainly gives Gould a spot on the Bears’ all time list.
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Gould went undrafted out of Penn State in 2005, but was signed for the preseason by the defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. Gould had an uphill battle as he was up against established veteran Adam Vinatieri, Gould didn’t beat out Vinatieri and was cut. The Baltimore Ravens picked him up, but he was cut three weeks later.
After getting cut by the Ravens, Gould took a little leave from football, going to do construction back in his native Pennsylvania until the Bears came calling following an injury to their kicker at the time, Doug Brien. Gould hooked on with the Bears in Week 4 and hasn’t looked back. He has gone on to kick 234 field goals out of 272 attempts and 323 PAT’s over his 9 year career. His 86% FG percentage is good for 3rd most accurate on the NFL’s all time list.
Gould earned a trip to the Pro Bowl and All Pro honors during the Bears’ Super Bowl season of 2006, during which he connected on 26 straight field goal attempts. Gould ranks second on the Bears All-Time scoring list with 1025 points, less than 100 points behind Kevin Butler‘s franchise leading 1116 points. If the Bears offense has a huge year, he could break Butler’s record in 2014, but there’s no rush. After signing a four-year, $15 million contract at the end of 2013, Gould will be around for some time.
What do you think of the ranking? Too high? Too low? I guess you’ll have to check back to see who finished ahead of him to judge for yourself. We’ll be counting down a different person each day as we inch our way to the September 7th season opener.