Thomas Morstead

Thomas Morstead Bio

Thomas James Morstead is an American professional football punter and kickoff specialist for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the SMU Mustangs and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft. Across more than a decade in the league, Morstead has also spent time with the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, and Miami Dolphins. He is a Super Bowl champion and a former Pro Bowl selection known for his consistency and leadership on special teams.

Early Life and Background

Thomas James Morstead was born on March 8, 1986, in Houston, Texas, and raised in the nearby suburb of Pearland. He grew up alongside a brother, Patrick, in a household that valued both academics and athletics. Morstead attended Pearland High School, where he earned varsity letters in both football and basketball. On the football field, he earned second-team All-District honors and was named the Brazoria County Special Teams MVP as a senior.

Beyond sports, Morstead was a member of the National Honor Society and added Academic All-State honors to his résumé. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall, he combined size and athleticism with a strong academic record, qualities that helped him attract college attention. He turned down scholarship offers from Texas Christian, Rice, Texas, and Missouri before choosing Southern Methodist University.

Path to American Football

Morstead enrolled at Southern Methodist University in 2004 and spent his first season as a redshirt while developing his leg strength and technique. After a year on the scout team, he was named to the Conference USA Academic Honor Roll in 2005, though he did not appear in a game. The following season, he took over both place-kicking and punting duties and quickly established himself as one of the top special teams players in the conference.

As a sophomore, Morstead became a consensus All-Conference USA first-team pick and again led the league in punting average. He set a Conference USA single-season record by making all 43 of his extra point attempts and finished the year with 82 points. In his final college season, he shifted his focus to directional punting, averaged more than 41 yards per punt, and was recognized as a two-time first-team All-Conference USA selection. By the time he declared for the NFL draft, Morstead was widely regarded as one of the top punting prospects in the country.

Thomas Morstead Career

Early Career (2009-2010)

Morstead was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft with the 164th overall pick. He was the second punter chosen that year, after Kevin Huber of the Cincinnati Bengals, and beat out Glenn Pakulak for the Saints’ punting job. As a rookie, he averaged 43.59 yards on 58 punts, a strong start that earned him a long-term role in New Orleans.

During his second season in 2010, Morstead recorded 57 punts for 2,618 yards and a 45.93 average. He quickly became a key piece of the Saints’ special teams unit, using his size and directional accuracy to control field position. Those early years laid the foundation for one of the longest tenures of any punter in Saints history.

New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2009-2020)

Morstead made his mark immediately in the playoffs, executing a famous onside kick during Super Bowl XLIV that helped the Saints erase a 10-6 deficit against the Indianapolis Colts. The play was executed perfectly, and New Orleans went on to win 31-17, earning Morstead a Super Bowl ring in just his first season. He remained the last active player from that championship roster for years afterward.

By 2011, Morstead had set NFL records for most kickoff touchbacks in a single game (nine against the Colts) and most touchbacks in a single season (68). The following year, the Saints signed him to a six-year extension worth $21.9 million, briefly making him the second highest paid punter in the league. He responded with a stellar 2012 campaign, leading the NFL in net punting yardage, earning Pro Bowl honors, and being named second-team All-Pro.

Morstead continued to produce at a high level throughout the rest of the decade. He served as the Saints’ special teams captain from 2014 through 2015, signed a five-year contract extension in 2018, and earned multiple NFC Special Teams Player of the Week and Month awards. In the 2017 NFC Divisional Round, a viral act of sportsmanship after a painful rib injury led Vikings fans to donate more than $140,000 to his charity. After 12 seasons in New Orleans, the Saints released Morstead on March 4, 2021.

Journeyman Years (2021-2024)

On September 14, 2021, Morstead signed with the New York Jets to replace the injured Braden Mann. He appeared in seven games before being released in November 2021, having punted 23 times for 1,108 yards. Shortly after, he joined the Atlanta Falcons, where he was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in his debut and later earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors for December 2021.

Morstead signed with the Miami Dolphins on April 8, 2022, and played a full season that included one of the most unusual plays of his career, the viral Butt Punt against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3. He finished the year with 61 punts and a 46.36 average. He returned to the Jets in 2023, leading the entire NFL in both punts (99) and punting yards (4,831) while earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. After a brief release and re-signing, he was ultimately let go by the Jets in May 2025.

San Francisco 49ers Era (2025-Present)

On May 28, 2025, Morstead signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a veteran addition to their special teams unit. He was waived during final roster cuts in late August but was re-signed to the active roster the following day. In his first season in San Francisco, he recorded 44 punts for 1,919 yards and a 43.6 average.

Morstead’s arrival brought a steady veteran presence to a 49ers team with championship aspirations. His ability to flip field position and serve as a mentor to younger specialists was viewed as a key asset by the coaching staff. Heading into the latter part of the 2025 season, he remained a trusted option on special teams.

Notable Events and Milestones

Beyond his Super Bowl XLIV heroics, Morstead holds the NFL records for most kickoff touchbacks in a single game (nine) and most kickoff touchbacks in a single season (68, set in 2011). He is also the only punter in NFL history to record at least 1,000 career punts while maintaining a career average above 46 yards. In 2023, he led the league in both punts and punting yards, a rare combination that underscored his durability.

Thomas Morstead Career Stats

As of the 2025 NFL season, Thomas James Morstead has recorded 1,004 career punts for 46,863 yards and a 46.7-yard punting average. He has placed 375 punts inside the 20-yard line and recorded 331 touchbacks, with a career-long punt of 75 yards. These totals place him among the most productive punters of his generation.

Thomas Morstead Family

Family Background and Personal Life

Thomas James Morstead and his wife, Lauren, have five children together. The family has remained closely tied to the communities where Morstead has played throughout his NFL career. Together, they founded the charity What You Give Will Grow in 2014, an organization that supports children and families in need.

Morstead is a Catholic and has spoken publicly about the role faith plays in his life and career. He also co-wrote a book with author Sean Jensen titled The Middle School Rules of Thomas Morstead, a memoir aimed at young readers. The book highlights lessons he has learned from sports, family, and service.

2025 Season Performance

Thomas James Morstead joined the San Francisco 49ers in late May 2025 as a reliable veteran option at punter. After a brief release during final cuts, he returned to the active roster and played the full season, finishing with 44 punts for 1,919 yards and a 43.6 average. His consistency helped stabilize the 49ers’ coverage units and gave the team dependable field position throughout the year.

Morstead’s role in 2025 was less about raw volume and more about situational excellence, including pinning opponents deep and managing late-game scenarios. Though he did not lead the league in any major punting category, his experience remained valuable for a 49ers team with postseason ambitions. With his contract status secure and his health intact, Morstead is expected to remain a contender for the starting punter job heading into the 2026 offseason.