Michael Badgley Bio
Michael Badgley, nicknamed ‘the Money Badger’, is an American professional football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 28, 1995, in Summit, New Jersey, he excelled at multiple sports during high school. After his successful career at Summit High School, he went on to play college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he became the all-time leading scorer. Undrafted in 2018, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts and has since played for several teams including the Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears, and Detroit Lions. Known for his accuracy and impressive distance, Badgley has secured a reputation as a skilled kicker in the league.
Early Life and Background
Michael Badgley was born in Summit, New Jersey, where he attended Summit High School. During his time there, he played hockey, lacrosse, and football, winning at least one state championship in each sport. He achieved consecutive group NJSIAA state lacrosse championships in 2010 and 2011, as well as a state hockey championship in 2012. Initially, Badgley planned to pursue collegiate lacrosse, inspired by his older brother, Peter Badgley, who was a Division I lacrosse goalie. However, a coach encouraged him to consider football at the Division I level.
Path to American Football
At Summit High School, Michael Badgley made a significant impact on the football field. He played multiple positions, including defensive back and running back, and even filled in as quarterback due to injuries. He set numerous records for the Summit Hilltoppers, including the longest field goal of 49 yards and most kicking points in a season with 84. After high school, he attended Fork Union Military Academy, where he continued to excel as a kicker, ranking as the number one kicker in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He then moved on to the University of Miami, where he became the all-time leading scorer for the Hurricanes.
Michael Badgley Career
Early Career (2018)
Michael Badgley’s professional career began when he signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He had a strong preseason, connecting on all five of his field goal attempts, but was waived before the regular season began. Shortly after, he was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers, where he made his NFL debut in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns. Badgley quickly made a name for himself, converting all five extra point attempts and his first field goal attempt in that game.
Breakthrough (2018-2020)
Badgley’s breakthrough moment came during the 2018 season when he set a Chargers franchise record for the longest field goal at 59 yards. He was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance and became a key player for the Chargers in their playoff run. He finished the season as the league’s top special teams rookie, solidifying his place in the NFL.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Michael Badgley has achieved significant milestones, including becoming the 19th leading scorer in Chargers history with a total of 238 points. He has also been recognized for his performance in postseason games, rewriting the record books with the most field goals and points in a postseason game in Chargers history.
Michael Badgley Award Nominations
Michael Badgley has received recognition for his performances, including being named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week during his time with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Michael Badgley Awards Won
Michael Badgley has been awarded the First-team All-ACC in 2017 for his outstanding performance during his college career at the University of Miami.
Michael Badgley Family
Information regarding Michael Badgley’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Details about Michael Badgley’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly disclosed.