Tommy Townsend

Tommy Townsend's Biography

Thomas Townsend, born on November 12, 1996, has made a name for himself in the sports world as an accomplished professional football punter in America. Known for his strength, agility, skill, and unwavering commitment to the sport, Townsend has mastered the art of excelling on the football field – and he shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Thomas Townsend started his football career playing college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators. Deemed to have a lion’s heart and an exquisite level of skill, Townsend’s position led him to a critical professional milestone. The Kansas City Chiefs, an NFL team, took notice of his extraordinary talent and signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

April 30, 2020, a date forever emblazoned in his memory, is when Townsend joined the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. The fourth game of his rookie season saw him roaring into glory as he made two punts that went 65 yards against the New England Patriots. Townsend not only emerged victorious but also crushed an existing Chiefs franchise record by finishing the game with an average of 60.8 yards for punt average in a game (with a minimum of 4 attempts). He established a new standard with a 47.8 yard net average.

Remaining consistent and continuing to challenge his limits, on November 1, Townsend managed to complete his first career pass on a fake punt against the New York Jets. This was an intense game which saw Townsend complete a 13-yard pass, resulting in a crucial first down. Townsend’s 2020 season saw him maintain an impressive performance, closing the season with 52 punts for 2,339 net yards averaging 44.98 yards per punt. This feat earned him recognition on the Pro Football Writers Association’s All-Rookie team.

The Chiefs’ playoff game against the Cleveland Browns marked an unique moment in Townsend’s career when he did not punt a single time – a first in his professional history.

Townsend’s resilience and dedication led him to Super Bowl LV, where despite the Chiefs’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he punted three times and recovered a total distance of 107 yards. His performance saw him being honored for being a spotlight player, earning the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November, after successfully executing six punts inside the 20-yard line and completing a pass on a fake punt.

Townsend’s 2021 season culminated with him being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on December 24th. However, he was back in action by December 29th, making a strong comeback with 37 punts for 1,746 net yards, culminating in an average of 47.19 yards per kick.

In 2022, Townsend reached a career highpoint when he took home the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month title for September. His performance remained remarkably consistent and high-pitched throughout the season, which saw formidable matches like his Week 15 game against the Houston Texans. Townsend ended the season with a bang, recording 53 punts for 2,672 net yards for a 50.42 average, earning him Pro Bowl and first team All-Pro honors.

Townsend’s 2023 season was marked by continued excellence in performance, culminating in 59 punts for 2,776 net yards, an average of 47.05 yards per kick. His extraordinary performance in Super Bowl LVIII led Chiefs to a thrilling 25-22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers and earned Townsend his second straight championship.

On March 15, 2024, Townsend embarked on a new journey as he signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans. It remains clear that with his skill, determination and passion for the sport, Townsend’s journey is far from finished.

In addition to his accomplishments on the field, Townsend is also an Eagle Scout, further testifying to his hard work, dedication, and leadership skills. Another proof of the athletic talent running in Townsend’s family is his older brother Johnny, also a professional punter, who played at the University of Florida. Here’s to the next chapter in Townsend’s undeniably successful and promising career.