Bradley Pinion Bio
Bradley Alexander Pinion is an American professional football punter and kickoff specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. After four seasons in San Francisco, Pinion spent three years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning Super Bowl LV following the 2020 season. He went on to play for the Atlanta Falcons and currently plays for the Miami Dolphins.
Early Life and Background
Bradley Alexander Pinion was born on June 1, 1994, in Concord, North Carolina. He grew up in the Concord area and attended Northwest Cabarrus High School in nearby Kannapolis, where he developed into a strong kicking prospect. His size and leg strength drew early attention from college recruiters, and he committed to Clemson University to continue his football career.
Pinion came from a supportive family environment in North Carolina, and his path to specialized kicking work began in high school. His training focused on directional punting and consistent ball striking, skills that would later define his professional reputation. By the end of his prep career, he was regarded as one of the top punting prospects in the region.
Path to the NFL
Pinion joined the Clemson Tigers in 2012 under head coach Dabo Swinney. As a freshman, he appeared in five games and handled a small number of punts, while teammate Spencer Benton covered the majority of the work. In the season opener against Ball State, Pinion made his collegiate debut with three punts for 117 yards. He finished his first year with nine punts for 355 yards and a 39.4-yard average.
As a sophomore in 2013, Pinion became the Tigers’ primary punter. He took 56 punts for 2,205 yards and posted a 39.4-yard average, with a season-high 48.8-yard performance against South Carolina State. In his junior season of 2014, he handled nearly every punt for the team and added three extra-point conversions. Teammates called him “the steering column” for his directional control. After that season, Pinion elected to forgo his senior year and enter the 2015 NFL draft, where he was the only punter selected.
Bradley Pinion Career
Early Career with the San Francisco 49ers (2015–2018)
The San Francisco 49ers selected Pinion in the fifth round, 165th overall, of the 2015 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings, punting three times for 140 yards. That rookie season, he posted 91 punts for 3,969 yards and a 43.62-yard average. In his second year, he led the league with 100 punts, finishing with 4,402 yards and a 44.02-yard average.
By 2017, Pinion had lowered his workload, recording 75 punts for 3,255 yards. In 2018, he had a then career-low 68 punts for 2,973 yards. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after punting three times for 164 yards, including a 64-yard punt, against the Oakland Raiders on Thursday Night Football.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Super Bowl Victory (2019–2021)
On March 13, 2019, Pinion signed a four-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished the 2019 season with 57 punts for 2,464 yards and helped the team reach the postseason in 2020. During the 2020 playoff run, he appeared in the Wild Card win over Washington, the Divisional Round win over the New Orleans Saints, the NFC Championship victory over the Green Bay Packers, and Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs, where Tampa Bay won 31–9. Pinion recorded four punts for 150 yards in that Super Bowl and earned a Super Bowl championship.
In 2021, Pinion was again named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after a Week 1 performance against the Dallas Cowboys in which he placed three of four punts inside the 10-yard line. He finished the year with 56 punts for 2,378 yards and added another playoff run, including a Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Buccaneers released him on June 22, 2022.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022–2025)
Pinion signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on June 30, 2022. That year, he booted a career-long 73-yard punt in a Week 3 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the season with 62 punts for 2,845 yards. On March 13, 2023, he signed a three-year, $8.65 million contract extension with the Falcons. In 2023, he recorded 75 punts for 3,523 yards and a 46.97-yard average, earning first-team All-Pro honors from Pro Football Focus.
The 2024 season brought a career-low 47 punts for 2,209 yards but a career-high 47.00-yard average. In 2025, Pinion recorded 64 punts for 2,889 yards and a 45.1-yard average, closing out his Falcons tenure as a steady veteran presence in the kicking game.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pinion is recognized for his directional control and consistency, with teammates at Clemson calling him “the steering column.” His leg strength allows him to flip field position with long punts, and his placement inside the 20-yard line is a major asset for coverage units. He combines a strong frame at 6 feet 5 inches and 265 pounds with disciplined technique, making him effective in both open-field and weather-affected games.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Pinion’s most memorable moments are his Super Bowl LV championship with the Buccaneers, a 73-yard career-long punt while with the Falcons, and multiple NFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards. He has also been recognized by Pro Football Focus with first-team All-Pro honors, underscoring his standing among the league’s most reliable punters.
Bradley Pinion Career Wins
Bradley Pinion’s most significant team achievement is the Super Bowl LV championship earned with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the 2020 season. He has also contributed to multiple playoff appearances across his three NFL stops, providing consistent field-position control for defenses and coverage units.
Team and Postseason Highlights
With the San Francisco 49ers, Pinion appeared in 16 games in each of his first two seasons and was trusted with a league-leading 100 punts in 2016. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he played a key role on special teams during the 2020 Super Bowl run and the 2021 NFC South title campaign. With the Atlanta Falcons, he earned All-Pro recognition from Pro Football Focus in 2023 and posted his highest punting average in 2024.
Bradley Pinion Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Pinion is married to Kaeleigh Pinion. He is a Christian and is also a supporter of Compassion International, reflecting his commitment to faith-based humanitarian work outside of football. While he keeps most of his personal life private, his public charitable involvement and family partnership with Kaeleigh remain central parts of his off-field identity.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Pinion served as the punter and kickoff specialist for the Atlanta Falcons. He recorded 64 punts for 2,889 yards and a 45.1-yard average, continuing his role as a reliable veteran presence. His placement and distance work provided steady field-position support for the Falcons’ coverage units throughout the year.
Pinion’s final Atlanta campaign reinforced his value as a directional punter with the leg strength to flip field position. With his contract running through 2026, the 2025 season served as a transition year before his next chapter in Miami. The momentum of his 2023 All-Pro season and his strong 2024 average carried into another solid campaign.
