Matt Prater

Matthew Phillip Prater Bio

Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Regarded as one of the best long-distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and holds the NFL record for most 50+ yard field goals in a career with 82. He played college football for the UCF Knights and was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2006. Throughout his career, Prater has consistently shown exceptional skill and power, making him a valuable asset to all teams he has played for.

Early Life and Background

Matthew Prater was born in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, and attended Estero High School in Estero, Florida. During his high school football career with the Wildcats, he converted 56 of 58 extra point attempts and 14 field goals, including one of 49 yards. Prater converted 84% of his kickoffs in the end zone for touchbacks. He was named second-team All-State, first-team all-conference, and All-Southwest Florida. Prater graduated from Estero High School in 2002, having transferred there his sophomore year from Cypress Lake High School. Prater then attended the University of Central Florida (UCF) from 2002 to 2005, where he played college football for the UCF Knights.

Path to American Football

Prater showed signs of his leg strength with his first kick of his collegiate career, making a 53-yard attempt against Penn State. Overall, in his first season kicking for the Golden Knights, he finished with 44-of-47 extra points converted and 14-of-21 field goals converted. He continued to improve throughout his college career, leading the nation in punting in 2003 and setting school and Mid-American Conference records with a 47.9-yard average per punt. He was known as the perfectionist of the Rugby punt, which gained popularity across the NCAA. Prater’s collegiate career culminated in a total of 50 field goals made, tying him for the school record, and he ranks fourth all-time in school history with 258 points.

Matthew Phillip Prater Career

Early Career (2006)

Matthew Prater was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2006. He made field goals of 22, 44, and 48 yards in a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns but was released on August 27 due to competition with veteran kicker Jason Hanson. After spending the remainder of the season as a free agent, Prater was signed to a future deal by the Miami Dolphins on January 11, 2007, but was released on August 27 as veteran Jay Feely won the job.

Breakthrough (2007–2014)

Shortly after being released by the Dolphins, Prater signed with the Atlanta Falcons, where he competed for the kicking job but was cut after missing two field goals in three games. He then joined the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad on November 15, 2007. Prater’s breakthrough came when he was signed by the Denver Broncos off the Dolphins’ practice squad on December 19, 2007. He became the starting kicker for the Broncos, replacing Jason Elam. Prater’s performance improved significantly, and he made a 56-yard field goal in his first season, which was the third longest in team history. He was named American Football Conference (AFC) Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2011, where he kicked a 59-yard field goal to tie the game and then a 51-yarder to win it in overtime.

Notable Works and Milestones

Prater set an NFL record by successfully kicking a 64-yard field goal against the Tennessee Titans in 2013. He also set a new NFL record for extra points in a single season, with 75. He earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for this performance and appeared in his first Super Bowl in 2014, where the Broncos faced the Seattle Seahawks.

Matthew Phillip Prater Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Matthew Prater has received several nominations for his outstanding performances, including being named to the Pro Bowl twice and earning multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

Matthew Phillip Prater Awards Won

Matthew Prater has won several awards, including the Second-team All-Pro in 2013 and the ESPN Sport Science Newton Award in 2014. He was also recognized as a Second-team All-American in 2003 and has been named to the Pro Bowl twice in 2013 and 2016.