Rafael Septien
Encyclopedia
Jose Rafael Septien was a Mexican
placekicker
in the National Football League
for the Dallas Cowboys
from 1978 through 1986. He was the leading scorer for the Cowboys those nine years. He initially played for the Los Angeles Rams
in 1977 after finishing college at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
.
A Dallas County, Texas
, grand jury indicted him January 22, 1987, on a charge of mishandling of a minor. Septien pleaded guilty on April 9, 1987, to a charge of indecency with a child in an agreement with prosecutors that brought him a sentence of 10 years' deferred probation
and a $2,000 fine.
During the nine seasons Septien played with the Cowboys (1978-1986), he made 162 field goals in 226 attempts; he also scored 388 points after touchdown (PAT). During Super Bowl XIII
, Septien made a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter and scored four PAT, but the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 35-31. He was selected to the Pro Bowl
after the 1981 season.
Septien was named to the Cowboys' 40th anniversary team in 2000. He lives in Cancún
, Mexico.
He was originally a professional soccer player, playing for Club América
from 1972-1974 but was never a regular starter so he decided to aim for the NFL.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
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...
in 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...
for 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...
from 1978 through 1986. He was the leading scorer for the Cowboys those nine years. He initially played for the Los Angeles 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,...
in 1977 after finishing college at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, or UL Lafayette, is a coeducational, public research university located in Lafayette, Louisiana, in the heart of Acadiana...
.
A Dallas County, Texas
Dallas County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,218,899 people, 807,621 households, and 533,837 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,523 people per square mile . There were 854,119 housing units at an average density of 971/sq mi...
, grand jury indicted him January 22, 1987, on a charge of mishandling of a minor. Septien pleaded guilty on April 9, 1987, to a charge of indecency with a child in an agreement with prosecutors that brought him a sentence of 10 years' deferred probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
and a $2,000 fine.
During the nine seasons Septien played with the Cowboys (1978-1986), he made 162 field goals in 226 attempts; he also scored 388 points after touchdown (PAT). During Super Bowl XIII
Super Bowl XIII
Super Bowl XIII was an American football game played on January 21, 1979 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 1978 regular season...
, Septien made a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter and scored four PAT, but the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 35-31. He was selected to the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
after the 1981 season.
Septien was named to the Cowboys' 40th anniversary team in 2000. He lives in Cancún
Cancún
Cancún is a city of international tourism development certified by the UNWTO . Located on the northeast coast of Quintana Roo in southern Mexico, more than 1,700 km from Mexico City, the Project began operations in 1974 as Integrally Planned Center, a pioneer of FONATUR Cancún is a city of...
, Mexico.
He was originally a professional soccer player, playing for Club América
Club América
Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
from 1972-1974 but was never a regular starter so he decided to aim for the NFL.