José Cortéz (football)
Encyclopedia
José Antonio Cortéz is an American football
placekicker
who last played for the Indianapolis Colts
of the National Football League
during the 2005 season.
, where he was both the kicker and punter. He later transferred to Oregon State University
, where he was a two-year letterman. His junior season he made honorable mention All-Pac-10
team after converting 11 of 19 field goal
attempts.
career. He signed as an undrafted
free agent
with the Cleveland Browns
prior to the 1999 NFL season
. After being cut by the Browns, signed and cut by the San Diego Chargers
, he made the practice squad of the New York Giants
. After appearing in one game for them, he was allocated to NFL Europe
, where he played for the Amsterdam Admirals
. Upon returning to the Giants, he was released, re-signed with the Chargers, and was re-released. After being released by the Chargers again, he joined the Los Angeles Xtreme
of the brand-new XFL
. Cortez, along with quarterback
Tommy Maddox
, led the Xtreme to a 7-3 record and the XFL title; Cortez also led the league in scoring with 20 field goals. Cortez earned Most Valuable Player
honors in the championship game, kicking four field goals. Cortez's success in the XFL earned him a starting spot with the San Francisco 49ers
, who signed Cortez before the 2001 NFL season
. He played in every game for the Niners, before being released following the season. He signed with the Washington Redskins
just after the start of the 2002 season. He played the remainder of the season for Washington. He spent the next two years with the Minnesota Vikings
. After being cut by Minnesota, he briefly kicked for the Detroit Fury
of the Arena Football League before returning to NFL action. The Colts were his fourth team of the 2005 NFL season
; he has spent time with the Dallas Cowboys
, Philadelphia Eagles
, and 49ers. The main reason for Cortez's moves is that he is usually signed as a fill-in while the starting kicker is injured; previously he has substituted for Billy Cundiff
(Dallas), David Akers
(Philadelphia), and Joe Nedney
(San Francisco), and was used primarily on kickoffs for the Colts while fellow former Colt Mike Vanderjagt
handled PATs and field goals. He was released by the Colts on April 3, 2006.http://www.kffl.com/player/1590/nfl Cortez is one of the few players to have played in the NFL, Arena Football League, NFL Europe
, and XFL. Recently divorced, and retired from the NFL, Jose has begun to make a new life for himself. He has moved on to start a new chapter of his life as an Oregon
State Police Officer
. Graduating from the Oregon State Police Academy in December 2007, he has been on patrol since May 2008, receiving his trooper stripes in January 2009.
* XFL rules prohibited extra-point kicks.
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 last played for the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
during the 2005 season.
College career
Cortéz started at Los Angeles Valley CollegeLos Angeles Valley College
Los Angeles Valley College is a community college located in the Valley Glen district of Los Angeles, California in the east-central San Fernando Valley. The school is a part of the Los Angeles Community College District....
, where he was both the kicker and punter. He later transferred to Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
, where he was a two-year letterman. His junior season he made honorable mention All-Pac-10
Pacific Ten Conference
The Pacific-12 Conference is a college athletic conference that operates in the Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I; its football teams compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of NCAA Division I football competition...
team after converting 11 of 19 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.
Professional career
Cortez has had an extensive journeymanJourneyman (sports)
A journeyman or journeywoman is an athlete or professional sports player who is technically competent, but unable to excel. In certain parts of the world the term has less negative connotations and the inability to excel is not needed for a player to be labelled thus.-Definitions:Alexandra Allred...
career. He signed as an undrafted
Undrafted
An undrafted sportsperson or undrafted free agent is specific type of sportsperson who plays, or attempts to play, in a professional sports league without first being selected in a draft....
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....
with the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
prior to 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...
. After being cut by the Browns, signed and cut by 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...
, he made the practice squad of the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. After appearing in one game for them, he was allocated to NFL Europe
NFL Europe
NFL Europe was an American football league which operated in Europe from 1991 until 2007. Backed by the National Football League , the largest professional American football league in the United States, it was founded as the World League of American Football to serve as a type of spring league...
, where he played for the Amsterdam Admirals
Amsterdam Admirals
The Amsterdam Admirals were a professional American football team in NFL Europe based in Amsterdam, Netherlands.-History:The Admirals were formed in 1995 as part of the NFL's plan to restart the World League of American Football, to be based entirely in Europe...
. Upon returning to the Giants, he was released, re-signed with the Chargers, and was re-released. After being released by the Chargers again, he joined the Los Angeles Xtreme
Los Angeles Xtreme
The Los Angeles Xtreme was a professional American football team based in Los Angeles, California. The team was a member of the XFL begun by Vince McMahon of World Wrestling Entertainment and by NBC, a major television network in the United States. The team played its home games in the Los Angeles...
of the brand-new XFL
XFL
The XFL was a professional American football league that played for one season in 2001. The league was founded by Vince McMahon, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of WWE...
. Cortez, along with quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Tommy Maddox
Tommy Maddox
Thomas "Tommy" Alfred Maddox is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, the XFL and the Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at UCLA.-Early years:At L. D...
, led the Xtreme to a 7-3 record and the XFL title; Cortez also led the league in scoring with 20 field goals. Cortez earned Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
honors in the championship game, kicking four field goals. Cortez's success in the XFL earned him a starting spot 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...
, who signed Cortez before the 2001 NFL season
2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
. He played in every game for the Niners, before being released following the season. He signed with the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
just after the start of the 2002 season. He played the remainder of the season for Washington. He spent the next two years with the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
. After being cut by Minnesota, he briefly kicked for the Detroit Fury
Detroit Fury
The Detroit Fury were an Arena Football League team. The team began play in 2001 and was based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, at The Palace of Auburn Hills, also the home of the NBA's Detroit Pistons. The team was co-owned by William Davidson, who owned the Pistons, along with...
of the Arena Football League before returning to NFL action. The Colts were his fourth team of the 2005 NFL season
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
; he has spent time with the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and 49ers. The main reason for Cortez's moves is that he is usually signed as a fill-in while the starting kicker is injured; previously he has substituted for Billy Cundiff
Billy Cundiff
William A. "Billy" Cundiff is an American football placekicker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
(Dallas), David Akers
David Akers
David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....
(Philadelphia), and Joe Nedney
Joe Nedney
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...
(San Francisco), and was used primarily on kickoffs for the Colts while fellow former Colt Mike Vanderjagt
Mike Vanderjagt
Michael John "Mike" Vanderjagt , is a professional American and Canadian football placekicker and punter who has played in the Arena Football League, the Canadian Football League and National Football League...
handled PATs and field goals. He was released by the Colts on April 3, 2006.http://www.kffl.com/player/1590/nfl Cortez is one of the few players to have played in the NFL, Arena Football League, NFL Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and XFL. Recently divorced, and retired from the NFL, Jose has begun to make a new life for himself. He has moved on to start a new chapter of his life as an Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
State Police Officer
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
. Graduating from the Oregon State Police Academy in December 2007, he has been on patrol since May 2008, receiving his trooper stripes in January 2009.
Regular season
| Kicking | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | FGs | XPs | Pts. | |
| 1999 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... |
NYG New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
NFL National Football League The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2001 | Los Angeles Los Angeles Xtreme The Los Angeles Xtreme was a professional American football team based in Los Angeles, California. The team was a member of the XFL begun by Vince McMahon of World Wrestling Entertainment and by NBC, a major television network in the United States. The team played its home games in the Los Angeles... |
XFL XFL The XFL was a professional American football league that played for one season in 2001. The league was founded by Vince McMahon, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of WWE... |
10 | 20 | 0* | 60 | |
| 2001 2001 NFL season The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day... |
San Francisco 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... |
NFL | 16 | 18 | 47 | 101 | |
| 2002 2002 NFL season The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each... |
Washington Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
NFL | 14 | 23 | 34 | 103 | |
| 2003 2003 NFL season -Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *... |
Minnesota Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
NFL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2004 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... |
Minnesota | NFL | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2005 2005 NFL season The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006... |
Dallas Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... |
NFL | 7 | 12 | 13 | 49 | |
| 2005 2005 NFL season The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006... |
Philadelphia Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
NFL | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | |
| 2005 2005 NFL season The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006... |
San Francisco | NFL | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2005 2005 NFL season The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006... |
Indianapolis Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... |
NFL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| NFL totals | 55 | 53 | 99 | 258 | |||
* XFL rules prohibited extra-point kicks.