Matt Gay

Matt Gay's Biography

Matthew (“Matt”) Gay, born on March 15, 1994, in Orem, Utah, is an acclaimed professional football player currently fulfilling the role of the placekicker for the prestigious Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). His substantial commitment to football, as well as an impressive track record of kicking success, merit him being one of the most recognized names in his field.

Born to John and Suzy Gay, Matt showed an early inclination towards sports. While attending Orem High School, Matt distinguished himself in both football and soccer, earning first-team honors in both sports. His prowess on the field opened up the opportunity to represent Utah in the U-17 USA Men’s National Team residency program, a first for any player from the state. After graduating in 2012, Matt went on to play two seasons of soccer for the Utah Valley Wolverines.

While his love for soccer remained intact, Matt exhibited exceptional skills on the football field, prompting a switch in his athletic endeavors. Prior to the starting of the 2017 season, he transferred to the Utah Utes football team without a scholarship. Matt quickly became a pivotal fixture in the team, earning the title of the school’s seventh consensus All-American. His remarkable contributions to Utah Utes football couldn’t go unnoticed—he won the 2017 Lou Groza Award, becoming the first player from the school to win this honor. Matt’s success continued with him being the top field goal player in the country and establishing a new Pac-12 Conference record with 30 field goals.

In the 2018 season, Matt continued to shatter records by setting new school benchmarks for consecutive field goals and field goals in a single game. Such impressive feats gained him first-team All-Pac-12 honors—a significant recognition by the league.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft, kicking off his professional career. However, after a season, the Buccaneers chose to part ways with Matt following the signing of veteran Ryan Succop. This lead to Matt’s signing with the Indianapolis Colts in September 2020. Though briefly released in November of that year, the Colts quickly had him return the next day.

Shortly after, the Los Angeles Rams signed Matt off the Colts’ practice squad to replace their injured kicker Kai Forbath. Matt further solidified his reputation by converting 32 of 34 field goal attempts and 48 of 49 points after touchdown in 2021, earning him his first Pro Bowl selection.

In 2021, Matt reached a career milestone by winning his first Super Bowl title when the Rams triumphed over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. He made meaningful contributions by successfully converting a 41-yard field goal and two extra points. Matt’s professional football journey then came full circle as he returned to the Indianapolis Colts in March 2023 after signing a four-year, $22.5 million contract, the highest for a kicker in NFL history at the time.

Apart from his football career, Matt is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he had embarked on a mission in Houston, which was truncated as a result of his battle with depression. Matt wears the initials “P.O.” on a wristband for every game he plays in memory of his high school teammate and good friend, Parker Overly, who tragically died in a car accident in 2017. Matt’s journey tells the tale of passion and resilience, and he continues to inspire many with his pursuit of excellence, both on and off the field.