Ex-Pro Bowl kicker announces retirement
Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; The NFL shield logo is seen at midfield before the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
One of the most accurate kickers in NFL history is retiring from football.
Former San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould announced his retirement on Thursday. The 41-year-old reflected on his career and said he is looking forward to being able to spend more time with his family.
“To have the kind of playing-career experience that I had in the NFL was nothing short of amazing, and my level of gratitude for the journey — the ups, the downs, the in between — is immeasurable,” Gould wrote on Instagram. “In short, my NFL story is hard to believe, and it’s filled with a plethora of ‘pinch-me’ moments.
“And now? Lucky me. My favorite team has been waiting for me at home to join them full-time — no contract needed. I’m excited to be more present with my family and to focus all of my attention on what matters to me outside of football. For the longest time, my career has naturally filled my schedule, and my wife has taken the reins at home. My oldest is 10 years old, and I’ve been away from him for large chunks of nine years. My younger two boys are eight and five. For most of their lives, Dad hasn’t been fully present. So, without interruption, I’m ready for this next stage of life.”
Gould spent the bulk of his NFL career with the Chicago Bears from 2005-2015. He then spent a season with the New York Giants in 2016 before kicking for the 49ers from 2017-2022.
Gould, who made the Pro Bowl in 2006, made 86.5% of his kicks during his career. He is the 9th-most accurate kicker in NFL history, according to Pro Football Reference.
Though the 49ers chose not to bring Gould back this year, he was still very effective in 2022. Gould made 27 of 32 field goals and 50 of 51 extra-points last season.
