Bill Lafleur
Encyclopedia
William Lafleur is a former American football
punter who played four pro seasons in the NFL. He spent two seasons playing in Europe for the Barcelona Dragons
, and played another two for the San Francisco 49ers
. He played college football at Nebraska
.
Lafleur has also been a member of the San Diego Chargers
.
, where he played quarterback, safety, and handled all kicking duties for coach Jeff Bellar. He led the Knights to the Class C state title in 1991 and a runner-up finish as a senior in 1993. As a punter, he averaged 44 yards per punt as a senior. Lafleur claimed all-state honors as both a quarterback and a punter in 1993.
He was also a three-time state track qualifier and placed second in the triple jump by covering 45 feet as a senior.
Lafleur finally got his chance as a starting punter his senior season and did not disappoint, as he posted one of the best punting seasons in school history. He averaged 44.9 yards on 52 punts, including a career-long 64-yard blast against Missouri. He also buried opponents inside their own 20-yard line on 17 occasions.
Lafleur left Nebraska as a member of three National Championship teams and held a 3.5 GPA at the conclusion of his academic career.
and spent nearly three years out of football before signing with the Barcelona Dragons
of NFL Europa in 2001, where he played for two seasons.
His performance earned him a contract with the San Diego Chargers
in training camp 2002. He was later released before the regular season.
He was the punter for the 49ers in 2002 and 2003. He played in 21 games and made 90 punts for 3,434 yards and 3,019 net yards. After a successful rookie season in 2002, Lafleur's performance dropped after 5 games in 2003. Lafleur served as the team's holder for the remainder of the season. He would be released during the 2004 offseason.
He was then signed back by the San Diego Chargers to a one-year contract on June 3, 2004, but was released on August 31.
Bill frequently is referred to "Buffalo Bill" Lafleur, despite never playing for the Buffalo Bills.
He is a scratch golfer and a future outstanding teacher.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
punter who played four pro seasons in the NFL. He spent two seasons playing in Europe for the Barcelona Dragons
Barcelona Dragons
The Barcelona Dragons were a team originally in the World League of American Football and later in the resurrected NFL Europe. Their home field in Barcelona was the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuic, the 1992 Olympic Stadium, and later the Mini Estadi. The Dragons were successful on the field, making it...
, and played another two for the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. He played college football at Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
.
Lafleur has also been a member of the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Early years
Lafleur attended Norfolk Catholic High SchoolNorfolk Catholic High School
Norfolk Catholic Jr./Sr. High School is a parochial Roman Catholic high school located in Norfolk, Nebraska, USA. The school is affiliated with Sacred Heart Parish in the Archdiocese of Omaha. Founded in 1926 by Father Daniel Moriarity, the school was originally located at 6th St. and Madison Ave...
, where he played quarterback, safety, and handled all kicking duties for coach Jeff Bellar. He led the Knights to the Class C state title in 1991 and a runner-up finish as a senior in 1993. As a punter, he averaged 44 yards per punt as a senior. Lafleur claimed all-state honors as both a quarterback and a punter in 1993.
He was also a three-time state track qualifier and placed second in the triple jump by covering 45 feet as a senior.
College career
Lafleur spent five years playing football for the University of Nebraska, where he walked on as a punter. He was redshirted in 1994 and was used sparingly the next three seasons, backing up Jesse Kosch.Lafleur finally got his chance as a starting punter his senior season and did not disappoint, as he posted one of the best punting seasons in school history. He averaged 44.9 yards on 52 punts, including a career-long 64-yard blast against Missouri. He also buried opponents inside their own 20-yard line on 17 occasions.
Lafleur left Nebraska as a member of three National Championship teams and held a 3.5 GPA at the conclusion of his academic career.
Pro career
Lafleur went undrafted in the 1999 NFL Draft1999 NFL Draft
The 1999 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 17-18, 1999...
and spent nearly three years out of football before signing with the Barcelona Dragons
Barcelona Dragons
The Barcelona Dragons were a team originally in the World League of American Football and later in the resurrected NFL Europe. Their home field in Barcelona was the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuic, the 1992 Olympic Stadium, and later the Mini Estadi. The Dragons were successful on the field, making it...
of NFL Europa in 2001, where he played for two seasons.
His performance earned him a contract with the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in training camp 2002. He was later released before the regular season.
He was the punter for the 49ers in 2002 and 2003. He played in 21 games and made 90 punts for 3,434 yards and 3,019 net yards. After a successful rookie season in 2002, Lafleur's performance dropped after 5 games in 2003. Lafleur served as the team's holder for the remainder of the season. He would be released during the 2004 offseason.
He was then signed back by the San Diego Chargers to a one-year contract on June 3, 2004, but was released on August 31.
Personal
Lafleur is the son of Jim and Libby Lafleur. He was an education major at Nebraska.Bill frequently is referred to "Buffalo Bill" Lafleur, despite never playing for the Buffalo Bills.
He is a scratch golfer and a future outstanding teacher.