Justin Tucker

Justin Tucker's Biography

Justin Paul Tucker, born on November 21, 1989, has made a noteworthy contribution to the National Football League (NFL) as an American professional football placekicker. He is widely recognized for his pivotal role with the Baltimore Ravens.

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Tucker attended Westlake High School, where he played alongside upcoming NFL stars like quarterback Nick Foles, tight end Kyle Adams, and linebacker Bryce Hager. He showcased his sporting talent early on, playing as a wide receiver, safety, and placekicker for the Westlake Chaparrals. He also demonstrated his flair for soccer, which he played from the tender age of three or four until his sophomore year.

After high school, Tucker moved on to the University of Texas at Austin, where he joined the renowned Longhorns football team. Among his collegiate accomplishments stood his 2011 game-winning field goal that ended the 117-year-old rivalry between Texas A&M University and the University of Texas. Despite this feat and a distinguished college football career, with an 83.3% field-goal conversion percentage, Tucker received no invitations to participate in the East-West Shrine Game, Senior Bowl or the NFL Scouting Combine. However, his football career was far from over.

Education was an important balance for Tucker, who initially undertook a communications major but then switched to recording technology. He studied under Nikita Storojev at the Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in music a semester earlier than his peers, to focus on football and train for the NFL draft.

Tucker then launched a marketing strategy to promote himself for the NFL draft. He published a five-minute YouTube video, demonstrating his field goal attempts from different angles and distances. Despite not being selected in the 2012 NFL draft, he caught the attention of the Baltimore Ravens, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in May 2012. Tucker’s remarkable preseason performance earned him the placekicker position, and he quickly demonstrated his prowess.

In his debut season, Tucker exhibited extraordinary accuracy, scoring on all of his 42 extra point attempts and missing only three out of 33 field goals. Known for his clutch performances, he kicked a game-winning field goal during a critical match against the New England Patriots in Week 3, winning the match for the Ravens despite the controversy surrounding his kick. His excellent form continued throughout the season, culminating in the Divisional Round against the Denver Broncos, where he kicked a 47-yard field goal to claim a memorable victory.

Another defining moment in Tucker’s career came in Super Bowl XLVII, where the Ravens, on the back of two fourth-quarter field goals from Tucker, claimed a landmark victory against the San Francisco 49ers, securing Tucker’s first Super Bowl ring.

In the ensuing seasons, Tucker continued to perform at an elite level, consistently proving his value in crucial situations and earning several player of the week and player of the month awards. His notable achievements include setting a franchise record by kicking six field goals in a match against the Detroit Lions in 2013, and leading the league in field goal attempts and makes. His unmatched accuracy also helped him earn selections to the Pro Bowl and as All-Pro for multiple seasons.

In 2019, Tucker enjoyed another stellar season. He converted all but one of his field goal attempts and led the league with 38 makes. Tucker was selected to his second Pro Bowl and earned First-team All-Pro honors for his exceptional performance.

Tucker’s career entered a new phase when he signed a four-year, $16.8 million extension with the Ravens in 2016, followed by another four-year, $23.05 million contract extension in 2019, which ensured his stay with the team through the 2023 season. Tucker’s achievements mark him as one of the NFL’s elite placekickers, earning his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Team for the 2010s decade. Even after a decade-long career in professional football, Tucker’s on-field prowess and consistent performances remain intact, continuing to light up the NFL.

Often regarded as the greatest placekicker of all time, Tucker’s accuracy stands at an impressive 89.7 percent, the highest in NFL history. He also holds the NFL record for the longest field goal at 66 yards. These impressive records are a testament to Tucker’s hard work, dedication, remarkable talent and exceptional career that will be remembered for decades to come.