Tress Way

Tress Way's Biography

Born on the 18th of April in 1990, Tressler William “Tress” Way has forged a stellar career in the realm of professional football. A punter for the Washington Commanders, he has played in the National Football League (NFL) since 2013. This biography offers an in-depth perspective of Way’s life and professional achievements, charting his journey from childhood to adulthood and his ascension to being an esteemed athlete in the NFL.

Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Way graduated from Union High School in 2008. He showed great promise as an athlete from an early age, and was later accepted into the University of Oklahoma. Way redshirted his freshman season in the Oklahoma Sooners football team, finally securing a spot to play in 53 games, from 2009 to 2012.

Despite initially trying his hand at being a kicker, Way excelled as a punter, with a career record of 250 punts, 91 of which landed inside the 20, 71 stretching for 50 or more yards, and 36 touchbacks. When he hung his cleats up each game, he managed an impressive average of 44.0 yards per punt, with a career-long target of 85. Exhibiting his commitment to personal growth, Way completed his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies by December 2012.

The athlete’s professional career kicked off in earnest when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Bears on April 28, 2013. Fate, however, had different plans for him – he was let go on August 25, 2013, only to be brought back the following year. Yet again, he was waived after he lost to rookie Pat O’Donnell on August 18, 2014.

His career, nevertheless, took a positive turn when he was claimed off waivers by the Washington Redskins, which has since been renamed as the Washington Commanders, on August 20, 2014. In his first preseason game alone, Way recorded an average of 45.3 yards from four punts. He shone in the 2014 season, leading the NFL in gross punting average with 47.5 yards, finishing his rookie season with a breathtaking average of 47.52.

Way’s trajectory in the NFL continued its upward trend as the years passed. He played pivotal roles in several seasons, leading to him being appointed as the team’s special teams captain at the outset of the 2015 season. He finished the season with 70 punts boasting a 46.6 average.

In 2016, Washington Redskins extended a tender offer to Way and subsequently signed him to a five-year contract extension. His performance continued to impress with 49 punts for a 45.08 average. Even in the 2017 season, Way thrilled audiences with 83 punts for a 45.7 average.

He had standout moments in 2018 and 2019 with games that saw sharp averages and garnered him several awards. Way was named National Football Conference (NFC) Special Teams Player of the Week after an excellent display against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The highlight of his career thus far came in 2019, where he was named to the 2020 Pro Bowl and the second-team All-Pro, in recognition of his stellar performance throughout the season. During this time, Way also signed a four-year contract extension worth $15 million.

Married to Brianna Turang in 2013, Way found a life partner who shared his passion for sports. Brianna was a softball and soccer player at the University of Oklahoma and is the daughter of former Major League Baseball outfielder Brian Turang. A man of deep Christian faith, Way has remained grounded despite his resounding success in the professional football arena.

Continuing to make significant strides in his career, Way marked his steady performance through the subsequent years. 2021 and 2022 saw him displaying excellent form, earning him further recognition as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October 2022. The year 2023 saw him again honored with the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week accolade, bolstering his position as a key player in the NFL.

As of 2024, Way continues to be an intrinsic part of the Washington Commanders, even changing his uniform number to accommodate the arrival of quarterback Jayden Daniels. With Way’s excellent career marked by multiple accolades and a deep-seated love for football, the athlete continues his journey in professional sports, his future in the NFL looking brighter than ever.