Bradley Pinion

Bradley Pinion's Biography

Born on June 1, 1994, Bradley Alexander Pinion is an acclaimed American professional football punter, presently fulfilling his footballing passion with the Atlanta Falcons from the NFL (National Football League). With a career that spans several years, Pinion leaves a lasting legacy that began in his teenage years at Northwest Cabarrus High School in Concord, North Carolina.

Driven by his passion for football from a young age, Pinion decided to attend Clemson University to continue his football journey. It was here under the guidance of head coach Dabo Swinney that Pinion honed his skills from 2012 to 2014 and prepared for what would become a successful professional career. Despite his limited presence on the field in his freshman year, he took full advantage of the opportunities presented to him, appearing in five games and accumulating 355 punting yards from nine punts throughout the season.

As Pinion progressed to his sophomore year, he became the main locomotive force for the Clemson Tigers’ punting game. His skills and performance only improved in his junior year as he continued his reign as the leading punter. During this season, he set new personal bests, including an impressive 451 yards from ten punts in the season opener against the Georgia Bulldogs. It was this sterling command and performance that earned him the nickname “the steering column,” a testament to his ability to control the direction of his punts.

Rather than wait around for his senior year, Pinion was eager to test himself at the professional level. Therefore, he decided to forgo his final year at Clemson and declare for the 2015 NFL Draft. His leap of faith paid off when he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round. During his rookie season with the 49ers, he shone brightly, pulling off impressive performance after performance and ending the season with a commendable average of 43.62, having punted 3,969 yards from 91 punts.

Going into his second season, Pinion maintained his previous year’s momentum, putting up closely matched statistics game after game, and finished the season with 100 punts leading to 4,402 net yards and a 44.02 average. His third season saw him continuing as the 49ers’ reliable punter, showcasing remarkable performance on and off the pitch and demonstrating his athleticism and skill through his ability to manipulate the ball’s flight.

After four extraordinary seasons with the 49ers, he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. His tenure with the Buccaneers was equally impressive, culminating in a career-high, Super Bowl victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. However, his journey with the Buccaneers ended in June 2022 when he was released from the team.

Afterward, Pinion’s journey led him to the Atlanta Falcons. Here, he recorded an incredible career-high punt of 73 yards during a victory over the Seahawks and finished the season with an average of 42.46 yards from 62 punts, leading to a total of 2,845 yards. His contribution to the team’s success led to him signing a three-year, $8.65 million contract extension with the Falcons in March of 2023. It was in this season that Pinion delivered some of his most impressive and consistent performances, achieving a season total of 3,523 yards from 75 punts, averaging 46.97 yards per punt.

Outside of his life on the field, Pinion is devoted to his wife, Kaeleigh Pinion. His personal life is centered on his Christian faith, which has guided him throughout his professional career. He is also a patron of Compassion International, extending his influence and generosity by actively supporting various charitable efforts. As Bradley Alexander Pinion juggles his role as an athlete, a husband, and a philanthropist, he continues to inspire many with his perseverance, dedication, and otherworldly punting abilities.