Joe Nedney
Encyclopedia
Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football
placekicker
who is currently a free agent
. Born and raised in San Jose, California
, Nedney played college football
at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins
in 1996. He has played for the 49ers since 2005 after having played for the Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals
, Baltimore Ravens
, Oakland Raiders
, Denver Broncos
, Carolina Panthers
, Tennessee Titans
, and San Francisco 49ers
.
and attended Santa Teresa High School
. He lettered in football as a kicker/punter and basketball as a guard/forward.
at San Jose State University
, where he was a four year letterman. He graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer with 236 points, going 39-for-70 in field goal
attempts (including a school record 62-yarder) and 119-of-132 extra point
s. He also punted
as a senior, averaging 37.8 yards per punt on 70 punts. In 1998, San Jose State awarded him a degree in recreation
after Nedney completed an internship at the Arizona Cardinals community relations department.
, Oakland Raiders
, and Miami Dolphins
. He then joined the Dolphins full-time for the 1996 NFL season
, and led the team in scoring with 89 points. The following season, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals
, who he stayed with for two and a half seasons, and at one point sharing kicking duties with veteran Chris Jacke
. In 1999, he was waived by the Cardinals, and then picked up by the Raiders, where he finished the season before being released. He was picked up by the Denver Broncos
at the start of the 2000 NFL season
to fill in for the injured Jason Elam
, but was waived after three games and then signed by the Carolina Panthers
. Nedney went on to join the Tennessee Titans
the following year, and was their kicker for four years, until injuring his hamstring
during the 2004 NFL season
. During the 2002 playoffs, he was involved in a controversial running into the kicker penalty against the Steelers during overtime. Nedney had just missed a 31 yard field goal, but was given another opportunity by the penalty. He made his second try, thus winning the game. After the game Nedney said, "He got a pretty good hit on me, but when I'm done playing ball I might try acting."
He signed with the 49ers in March 2005. Nedney went 26 for 28 in 2005, and kicked a career high 56 yard field goal against the St. Louis Rams
on Christmas Eve
. He was the Co-MVP for the 49ers, and quickly re-signed with the team during the offseason.
In the final game of the 1999 NFL season
while Nedney was with the Oakland Raiders
, the Chiefs were denied a trip to the playoffs and a AFC West
division title in the final game of the season when Nedney kicked a field-goal in overtime, giving the division to the Seattle Seahawks
instead. Ironically, Nedney, with the San Francisco 49ers
in 2006
, kicked a field goal in overtime against the Denver Broncos
, knocking them from the playoff picture and giving the Chiefs the final wild-card spot in the playoffs.
On October 31, 2007 the NFL fined Nedney $7,500 for giving a fan the middle finger during the team's loss to the Saints
on October 28.
On July 28, 2011, he was released by the 49ers.
, with their daughter Gabrielle (b. June 23, 2002) and son Cade (b. March 11, 2005).
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...
placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. Born and raised in San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, Nedney played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1996. He has played for the 49ers since 2005 after having played for the Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
, and 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...
.
Early years
Nedney was born in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
and attended Santa Teresa High School
Santa Teresa High School
Santa Teresa High School secondary school located in the suburban southern region of San Jose, California, United States. The school is part of the East Side Union High School District , serving students in grades 9-12...
. He lettered in football as a kicker/punter and basketball as a guard/forward.
College career
Nedney played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at San Jose State University
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
, where he was a four year letterman. He graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer with 236 points, going 39-for-70 in field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
attempts (including a school record 62-yarder) and 119-of-132 extra point
Extra Point
Extra Point is a twice-daily, two-minute segment on ESPN Radio that covers generic sports-related topical news and opinion. The AM edition airs Monday through Saturday at various times between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, and the PM edition airs Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET...
s. He also punted
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
as a senior, averaging 37.8 yards per punt on 70 punts. In 1998, San Jose State awarded him a degree in recreation
Recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
after Nedney completed an internship at the Arizona Cardinals community relations department.
Professional career
Nedney started his NFL career in 1995, bouncing around practice squads for the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He then joined the Dolphins full-time for the 1996 NFL season
1996 NFL season
The 1996 NFL season was the 77th regular season of the National Football League and the season was marked by notable controversies from beginning to end...
, and led the team in scoring with 89 points. The following season, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, who he stayed with for two and a half seasons, and at one point sharing kicking duties with veteran Chris Jacke
Chris Jacke
Christopher Lee Jacke is a former professional American football placekicker best known for playing for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League....
. In 1999, he was waived by the Cardinals, and then picked up by the Raiders, where he finished the season before being released. He was picked up by the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
at the start of the 2000 NFL season
2000 NFL season
The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.Week 1 of the season reverted to Labor Day weekend in 2000...
to fill in for the injured Jason Elam
Jason Elam
Jason Elam is a retired American football placekicker. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii....
, but was waived after three games and then signed by the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. Nedney went on to join the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
the following year, and was their kicker for four years, until injuring his hamstring
Hamstring
In human anatomy, the hamstring refers to any one of the three posterior thigh muscles, or to the tendons that make up the borders of the space behind the knee. In modern anatomical contexts, however, they usually refer to the posterior thigh muscles, or the tendons of the semitendinosus, the...
during the 2004 NFL season
2004 NFL season
The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
. During the 2002 playoffs, he was involved in a controversial running into the kicker penalty against the Steelers during overtime. Nedney had just missed a 31 yard field goal, but was given another opportunity by the penalty. He made his second try, thus winning the game. After the game Nedney said, "He got a pretty good hit on me, but when I'm done playing ball I might try acting."
He signed with the 49ers in March 2005. Nedney went 26 for 28 in 2005, and kicked a career high 56 yard field goal against the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
. He was the Co-MVP for the 49ers, and quickly re-signed with the team during the offseason.
In the final game of the 1999 NFL season
1999 NFL season
The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season...
while Nedney was with the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, the Chiefs were denied a trip to the playoffs and a AFC West
AFC West
The AFC West is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference, currently comprising the Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Oakland Raiders.-History:...
division title in the final game of the season when Nedney kicked a field-goal in overtime, giving the division to the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
instead. Ironically, Nedney, with 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...
in 2006
2006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
, kicked a field goal in overtime against the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, knocking them from the playoff picture and giving the Chiefs the final wild-card spot in the playoffs.
On October 31, 2007 the NFL fined Nedney $7,500 for giving a fan the middle finger during the team's loss to the Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
on October 28.
On July 28, 2011, he was released by the 49ers.
Personal
Nedney is married to Gina. They reside in Scotts Valley, CaliforniaScotts Valley, California
Scotts Valley is a small city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States, about thirty miles south of downtown San Jose and six miles north of Monterey Bay, in the upland slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 11,580...
, with their daughter Gabrielle (b. June 23, 2002) and son Cade (b. March 11, 2005).