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{{Short description|American football player (born 1984)}}{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}

factoids

|birth_place=Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.|height_ft=6|height_in=1|weight_lbs=215Madison Central High School (Mississippi)>Madison Central(Madison, Mississippi)Memphis Tigers football>Memphis (2002–2005)|draftyear=2006|draftround=4|draftpick=118|pastteams=

• New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2006}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})
• Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2020}})|status= |highlights=
• 3× Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LIII)
• 2× First-team All-Pro (2008, 2015)
• Second-team All-Pro (2014)
• 4× Pro Bowl (2008, 2013–2015)
• 5× NFL scoring leader ({{nfly|2008}}, {{nfly|2012}}–{{nfly|2015}})
• NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (2006)
• New England Patriots All-2010s Team
• 2× First-team All-C-USA (2004, 2005)
• C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year (2005)

NFL records

• Most consecutive extra points made: 523
• Most seasons leading league in points scored: 5 (2008, 2012–2015; tied with Don Hutson and Gino Cappelletti)

Field goal (American and Canadian football)>Field goals made|statvalue1=392Field goal (American and Canadian football)>Field goals attempted|statvalue2=454|statlabel3=Field goal %|statvalue3=86.34|statlabel4=Longest field goal|statvalue4=62|statlabel5=Points scored|statvalue5=1,875|statlabel6=Touchbacks|statvalue6=574|nflnew=stephen-gostkowski|pfr=G/GostSt20}}Stephen Carroll Gostkowski ({{IPAc-en|ɡ|ɒ|s|t|ˈ|k|aʊ|s|k|i}} {{Respell|gost|KOW|skee}};WEB, New England Patriots Media Guide,weblink February 5, 2016, April 28, 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160428222155weblink">weblink live, {{efn|Previous versions of Patriots' media guides gave the pronunciation as {{IPAc-en|ɡ|ʌ|s|t|ˈ|aʊ|s|k|i}} {{Respell|gust|OW|skee}}, with the first k silent.WEB, October 1, 2007, Patriots vs. Bengals media notes,weblink May 18, 2009, New England Patriots, July 13, 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110713170523weblink">weblink live, }} born January 28, 1984) is an American former football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. A member of the New England Patriots for most of his career, he is the franchise's all-time leading scorer. Gostkowski played college football for the Memphis Tigers and was selected in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Patriots, where he spent his first 14 seasons. In his final season, he played for the Tennessee Titans.Gostkowski led the league in scoring five times during his career, including four consecutive from 2012 to 2015, and is the first post-merger player to lead the league in scoring for more than two consecutive seasons. Gostkowski also holds the NFL record for consecutive extra points.WEB, January 24, 2016, Patriots' Stephen Gostkowski misses extra point after making 523 in a row,weblink January 11, 2018, CBS Sports, January 12, 2018,weblink live, He was named to four Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pros, and won three Super Bowl titles.{{TOC limit|3}}

Early life

Gostkowski graduated from Madison Central High School in Madison, Mississippi, in 2002.NEWS, Perchick, Mike, January 19, 2015, Super Bowl teams feature players with Mississippi ties, en, WAPT,weblink live, January 4, 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180104073530weblink">weblink January 4, 2018, While there, he won four varsity letters each in football and soccer, and three in baseball, and was an All-State honoree in all three sports. Gostkowski holds the school record for longest field goal, a 55-yard kick. His teammates at Madison Central included former 49ers executive Parys Haralson and former Seahawks center Chris Spencer. His opponents included former Atlanta Falcons running back Jerious Norwood, who returned one of Gostkowski's kickoffs from two yards deep in the end zone; Gostkowski raced him down at the 25-yard line to prevent a touchdown.{{cn|date=September 2020}}His most common nickname growing up was "Beaver"; he lost two front teeth playing hockey and had fake teeth that were too large put in as replacements.WEB, Russell, Greg, Spring 2005, Double Play,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20061222180208weblink">weblink December 22, 2006, February 11, 2007, University of Memphis Magazine, While at Memphis, he was dubbed "Gotti" by Tigers head coach Tommy West, because West could not pronounce Gostkowski correctly.NEWS, Reiss, Mike, August 24, 2006, He's got both feet out door, The Boston Globe,weblink live, June 10, 2007,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110522153759weblink">weblink May 22, 2011, (Incidentally, the 'k' would not normally be silent in Polish.)

College career

Gostkowski attended the University of Memphis, where he played for the Memphis Tigers football team and majored in exercise and sports science. Gostkowski received an athletic scholarship to play baseball for Memphis, and was a walk-on for the football team.WEB, Laurila, David, June 23, 2008, Kicking Around Some Baseball with Stephen Gostkowski,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20080701153631weblink">weblink July 1, 2008, July 1, 2008, Baseball Prospectus, He finished his college career with a total of 369 points, a school record, and 13th overall in NCAA Division I-A history, converting 70 of 92 field goals and 159 of 165 extra points (PATs) during his Tiger career.WEB, Stephen Gostkowski College Stats,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, College Football at Sports-Reference.com, en, His 70 field goals and 159 extra points both set school records previously held by Joe Allison (1990–1993). He earned first team All-Conference USA honors in both his junior and senior years and was named Conference USA's Special Teams Player of the Year in 2005.In 2005, his senior season, Gostkowski handled kickoff duties for Memphis and had 39 touchbacks on 68 kickoffs. Gostkowski did so using a one-inch tee (the height of NFL tees), rather than the two-inch tees allowed by the NCAA at the time. Thus, NFL talent scouts could more accurately project his potential.NEWS, Reiss, Mike, May 10, 2006, Tee time, Boston.com Reiss' Pieces,weblink live, January 5, 2007,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070318075525weblink">weblink March 18, 2007, In a 2005 game against Houston, Gostkowski managed the rare feat of recovering his own onside kick.AV MEDIA,weblink Gostkowski On-Side Kick, March 20, 2006, Youtube.com,weblink December 14, 2021, live, {{cbignore}}

Collegiate statistics{| class"wikitable"

! rowspan="2"| Year! rowspan="2"| School! rowspan="2"| Conf! rowspan="2"| Class! rowspan="2"| Pos! rowspan="2"| G! colspan="7" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Kicking style="font-weight:bold;" XPM XPA XP% FGM FGA FG% Pts2002 NCAA Division I-A football season>20022002 Memphis Tigers football team>Memphis| CUSA| FR| K| 12| 32| 37| 86.5| 9| 14| 64.3| 592003 NCAA Division I-A football season>20032003 Memphis Tigers football team>Memphis| CUSA| SO| K| 13| 44| 44| 100.0| 19| 29| 65.5| 1012004 NCAA Division I-A football season>20042004 Memphis Tigers football team>Memphis| CUSA| JR| K| 12| 48| 49| 98.0| 20| 24| 83.3| 1082005 NCAA Division I-A football season>20052005 Memphis Tigers football team>Memphis| CUSA| SR| K| 12| 35| 35| 100.0| 22| 25| 88.0| 101 style="font-weight:bold;" Career Memphis 49 159 165 96.4 70 92 76.1 369

Professional career

New England Patriots

2006 season

Gostkowski was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft with the 118th overall pick. He was the first of two placekickers to be selected that year.WEB, 2006 NFL Draft Listing,weblink live,weblink November 3, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, During the Patriots' 2006 training camp, he competed with veteran kicker Martín Gramática, who the Patriots had signed as a free agent after Adam Vinatieri signed with the Indianapolis Colts. On August 23, 2006, before their third preseason game, the Patriots cut Gramática, and gave the job to rookie Gostkowski.NEWS, August 23, 2006, Patriots cut kicker Gramatica, en, CBC,weblink live, February 8, 2019,weblink October 21, 2020, During the 2006 preseason, Gostkowski was perfect on field goals and extra points, going 9-for-9 and 11-for-11, respectively, for a total of 38 points. His longest field goal was a 54-yard attempt against the New York Giants in the last preseason game. On November 26, 2006, Gostkowski made the longest regular-season kick of his young career, a 52-yard kick against the Chicago Bears, which is also the longest kick ever made at Gillette Stadium.WEB, Chicago Bears at New England Patriots – November 26th, 2006,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, Gostkowski finished the 2006 season as the highest-scoring rookie, with 103 points (20 field goals and 43 extra points), edging out the 96 points scored by Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew.WEB, 2006 NFL Scoring Summary,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, While Gostkowski struggled early in his rookie season—he had two consecutive kicks blocked—his kickoffs were noticeably longer than were Vinatieri's in his last season in Foxborough. During the 2006 season, he averaged 65.5 yards per kickoff with a return average of 23 yards, and a total of 12 touchbacks. (By comparison, in 2005, Vinatieri's average kickoff was just 61.6 yards, though playing in a dome in 2006 he averaged 65.8 yards.) Gostkowski also outperformed opposing teams on field goals: Gostkowski made 20 of 26 kicks (76.9%), while opposing kickers made just 22 of 30 (73.3%). Gostkowski's rookie season was statistically about the same as Vinatieri's: Vinatieri converted 27 of 35 kicks (77.3%), but missed three extra points (39/42). In Week 17, he missed an extra point attempt for the first time in his NFL career.WEB, Stephen Gostkowski 2006 Game Log,weblink live,weblink December 17, 2017, December 16, 2017, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, Gostkowski also had to contend with having three different holders during the season. After his first holder, punter Josh Miller, was placed on injured reserve after Week 11, the Patriots signed Ken Walter, who held for Weeks 12 to 15 until he was placed on injured reserve. Though the Patriots hired Todd Sauerbrun to punt, holding duties were given to the Patriots' backup quarterback Matt Cassel (which led to one regular-season kick that, while good, made two bizarre turns in mid-air).

2006 postseason

In the Wild Card Round of the 2006 postseason against the New York Jets, Gostkowski was perfect on all his kick attempts, converting three field goal attempts (from 20, 40, and 28 yards) and four extra points. He also had one kickoff go through the back of the end zone (over 80 yards) for a touchback.WEB, Wild Card – New York Jets at New England Patriots – January 7th, 2007,weblink live,weblink December 28, 2017, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, In the (2006 New England Patriots season#AFC Divisional Round: at San Diego Chargers|AFC Divisional Playoffs) against the San Diego Chargers, Gostkowski made three of three field goals, including a 50-yard kick that was the longest successful kick in Patriots postseason history. He also made a 34-yarder in the third quarter and a 31-yard kick with 1:10 left in the fourth that made him only the third NFL rookie to attempt a game-winning playoff kick in the fourth quarter or overtime. (One of the others was Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding, who missed his attempt in the 2004 playoffs; in this game, Kaeding missed a potential game-tying 54-yarder in the closing seconds.) Gostkowski also converted his only extra point attempt of the game following a Jabar Gaffney touchdown in the second quarter.WEB, Divisional Round – New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers – January 14th, 2007,weblink live,weblink December 28, 2017, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, In the (2006 New England Patriots season#AFC Championship: at Indianapolis Colts|AFC Championship), Gostkowski again converted all of his kicks (two field goals and four extra points), and recorded two touchbacks on kickoffs against the Indianapolis Colts.WEB, AFC Championship – New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts – January 21st, 2007,weblink live,weblink October 29, 2021, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en,

Expectations from the Vinatieri years

As an untested rookie, Gostkowski faced special scrutiny in the playoffs, given the playoff heroics of Vinatieri.WEB, Smith, Michael, January 4, 2007, Gostkowski among kickers under the microscope,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070106231334weblink">weblink January 6, 2007, January 4, 2007, ESPN.com, Gostkowski performed admirably, making all eight of his field goal kicks; he also recorded three touchbacks, including two in the Patriots' January 21, 2007, loss to the Colts at the RCA Dome.

2007 season

Although Gostkowski ranked 30th in field goal attempts through the first 12 weeks of the NFL season (16 attempts, 14 converted), he managed to equal his entire 2006 scoring output in those 12 weeks, thanks to an NFL-leading 61 extra point attempts, all of which he converted. In Week 15, against the New York Jets, Gostkowski broke former Miami Dolphins kicker Uwe von Schamann's record for most extra points converted in a season, with his 67th successful attempt. In Week 16, against the Miami Dolphins, Gostkowski broke von Schamann's record of 70 extra point attempts. Gostkowski finished the season a perfect 74-for-74 on extra points, eclipsing Jeff Wilkins' 1999 record of 64-for-64 with the St. Louis Rams.WEB, NFL Extra Points Made Single-Season Leaders,weblink live,weblink January 24, 2022, September 20, 2022, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, (These PAT records were surpassed by Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater in {{nfly|2013}}.)WEB, Brinson, Will, December 29, 2013, Peyton Manning sets NFL record for passing yards in a season,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131230023532weblink">weblink December 30, 2013, December 29, 2013, CBS Sports, Gostkowski also went 21 for 24 on field goals to finish with 137 points on the season, the third-highest total of any player that year (rookie Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby had 141, and Patriots receiver Randy Moss had 138).WEB, 2007 NFL Scoring Summary,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, Gostkowski also had the distinction, in the Week 13 game against the Baltimore Ravens, of kicking off from the Ravens' 35-yard line as the result of two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on Ravens linebacker Bart Scott and an offside call on the Ravens defense on his PAT attempt. Gostkowski recorded a touchback on the kickoff, but there was confusion after the game as to whether or not the Patriots could have improved their field position by kicking the ball out-of-bounds instead.NEWS, Reiss, Mike, December 5, 2007, Kickoff situation, Boston.com,weblink live, December 14, 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121024220858weblink">weblink October 24, 2012,

2007 postseason

Gostkowski had two field goal attempts in the postseason, both in the (2007–08_NFL_playoffs#AFC:_New_England_Patriots_31,_Jacksonville_Jaguars_20|Divisional Round) against the Jacksonville Jaguars; Gostkowski converted one, but missed the other, his only failed postseason conversion. He was 9-for-9 on his extra point attempts.WEB, Divisional Round – Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots – January 12th, 2008,weblink live,weblink January 30, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, In the AFC Championship victory over the San Diego Chargers, he converted all three extra point attempts.WEB, AFC Championship – San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots – January 20th, 2008,weblink live,weblink December 22, 2017, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, In Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants, he converted both extra point attempts in the 17–14 loss.WEB, Super Bowl XLII – New York Giants vs. New England Patriots – February 3rd, 2008,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110629021906weblink">weblink June 29, 2011, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en,

2008 season

Gostkowski was a key contributor in the Patriots' 19–10 win over the New York Jets in Week 2, the game that marked Matt Cassel's debut as a starter after a season-ending injury to Tom Brady. Gostkowski converted four field goals from 21, 37, 28, and 27 yards, and recorded touchbacks on the first five of his six kickoffs (the last kick was returned to the 20 before a Raymond Ventrone tackle).WEB, New England Patriots at New York Jets – September 14th, 2008,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, In October, Gostkowski, after going 9-for-10 on field goals and 11-for-11 on extra points for a team-high 38 points, was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for the first time in his career.NEWS, Reiss, Mike, October 30, 2008, Gostkowski: AFC Special Teams Player of the Month, Boston.com Reiss' Pieces,weblink live, October 30, 2008,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20081102045204weblink">weblink November 2, 2008, In Week 16, Gostkowski had the highest-scoring game of his NFL career, converting four field goal attempts and five extra point attempts against the Arizona Cardinals.WEB, Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots – December 21st, 2008,weblink live,weblink September 1, 2017, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, The 17-point performance gave him a total of 34 field goals on the season, breaking Tony Franklin's 1986 franchise record of 32, and 141 points scored, tying Vinatieri's post-merger franchise record, with one game still to play. (Former wide receiver/kicker Gino Cappelletti scored 155 points for the Patriots in 1964, and 147 points in 1961, but those include 44 and 56 points on receptions.) Gostkowski finished the season with a league-leading 148 points, the 13th-highest single-season total in NFL history; his 36 field goals converted is the sixth-best total, and the most since Neil Rackers made 40 in 2005.WEB, 2008 NFL Scoring Summary,weblink live,weblink December 14, 2017, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, In December 2008, Gostkowski was selected for his first Pro Bowl appearance as the AFC kicker; his selection was the result of the players' and coaches' votes, as he did not finish in the top five in fan voting.NEWS, Reiss, Mike, December 17, 2008, Peers took a shining to stars, The Boston Globe,weblink live, May 18, 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090220190852weblink">weblink February 20, 2009, The Associated Press also voted him to the All-Pro First Team for the first time; he received 28 of the 50 votes for kicker.NEWS, 2008 All-Pro team, NFL.com, Associated Press,weblink live, May 18, 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121102073450weblink">weblink November 2, 2012,

2009 season

File:Stephen Gostkowski and Eric Alexander.jpg|thumb|Gostkowski kicks off in October 2009.]](File:Stephen Gostkowski.jpg|thumbnail|left|Gostkowski in the 2009 preseason)In the Patriots' last-minute 25–24 victory over the Buffalo Bills, Gostkowski recorded his first fumble recovery. When Leodis McKelvin fumbled the ball on a kickoff return, with the Patriots trailing 24–19, Gostkowski recovered the ball at the Bills' 31-yard line. Tom Brady, describing the play in his postgame press conference, used yet another nickname for Gostkowski: "Meat,"NEWS, Forsberg, Chris, September 15, 2009, Postgame chatter, Boston.com Extra Points blog,weblink live, November 25, 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100114032656weblink">weblink January 14, 2010, a reference to Bull Durham, coined by former Patriots punter Josh Miller during Gostkowski's rookie season.NEWS, Solomon, Jerome, July 29, 2006, For kickers, time to replace the clutch, The Boston Globe,weblink live, November 25, 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121024184906weblink">weblink October 24, 2012, Gostkowski won his first AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award in the Patriots' Week 9 game against the Miami Dolphins, in which he recorded four field goals and two touchbacks, including one on a re-kick from the Patriots' 25-yard line following an offside penalty.WEB, Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – November 8th, 2009,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, Gostkowski finished the season going 26-for-31 on field goals (83.9%). He was a perfect 47-for-47 on extra points and had a then-career-high 67.8 yard average on kickoffs.WEB, Stephen Gostkowski 2009 Game Log,weblink live,weblink January 5, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en,

2010 season

Gostkowski's contract expired after the 2009 season, which normally would have made him an unrestricted free agent. As a result of the expiring NFL-NFLPA collective bargaining agreement, however, Gostkowski became a restricted free agent; the Patriots offered him $1,759,000 for the 2010 season. Gostkowski signed the tender on April 17.WEB, Hill, Rich, April 17, 2010, Rap Sheet: Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski signs his RFA tender,weblink live,weblink September 21, 2022, September 20, 2022, Pats Pulpit, en, On August 26, 2010, the Patriots signed Gostkowski to a four-year extension, which added four years to his one-year tender contract; the extension gave him $14 million from 2011 to 2014, with $5 million guaranteed.WEB, Reiss, Mike, August 26, 2010, Source: Patriots kicker gets extension,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100829131549weblink">weblink August 29, 2010, September 6, 2010, ESPNBoston.com, Gostkowski began the 2010 season missing three of his first four field goal attempts over two games. However, in Week 4, against the Miami Dolphins, Gostkowski recorded five touchbacks in a single game; two weeks later, Gostkowski kicked his first overtime game-winning field goal in the Patriots' (2010 New England Patriots season#Week 6: vs. Baltimore Ravens|23–20 victory) over the Baltimore Ravens.WEB, Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots – October 17th, 2010,weblink live,weblink December 30, 2017, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, In Week 9, Gostkowski was unable to finish the Patriots' game against the Cleveland Browns after sustaining a thigh injury; he was replaced by wide receiver Wes Welker. Three days later, on November 10, the Patriots placed Gostkowski on injured reserve with a torn quadriceps muscle, ending his season. The Patriots signed veteran kicker Shayne Graham to replace him.Gostkowski finished the injury-shortened season 10-for-13 on field goals (76.9%, tying his career low from 2006), while setting a career-high with an average kickoff distance of 67.9 yards. He was 26-for-26 on his extra point attempts.WEB, Stephen Gostkowski 2010 Game Log,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en,

2011 season

As Gostkowski recovered from his quadriceps injury, for the first time since his rookie season, he was not the only kicker in training camp; the Patriots brought in former University of Massachusetts kicker Chris Koepplin to help manage Gostkowski's workload; they released Koepplin before the start of the season.WEB, Gunn, Dave, July 28, 2011, Former Kicker Koepplin Signed By Patriots,weblink live,weblink February 9, 2019, February 8, 2019, University of Massachusetts Athletics, en, In Week 16, after scoring a field goal against the Miami Dolphins to make the score 17–3 in favor of Miami, Gostkowski made a tackle of Clyde Gates on the subsequent kickoff that was credited as "pivotal" in the Patriots' comeback victory.NEWS, Finn, Chad, December 24, 2011, Gostkowski tackle proved important, The Boston Globe,weblink live, September 20, 2022,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150924160614weblink">weblink September 24, 2015, Instead of allowing a touchdown, Gostkowski tackled Gates at the Miami 38. Miami lost the ball on the ensuing possession, and the Patriots went on to score a touchdown of their own, closing the deficit to 17–10 en route to a 27–24 win.WEB, Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – December 24th, 2011,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, Gostkowski finished the season with 143 points, five short of his career high in 2007; he made 28 of 33 field goals and all 59 of his extra-point attempts. Gostkowski was one of two kickers to score five or more points in every game in 2011 (the other was David Akers), and the third player in NFL history to manage the feat (Gary Anderson also did it in 1998).WEB, 2011 NFL Scoring Summary,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, At the end of the 2011 season, Gostkowski and the Patriots appeared in Super Bowl XLVI. He converted two extra points and a field goal, but the Patriots lost 21–17 to the New York Giants.WEB, Super Bowl XLVI – New York Giants vs. New England Patriots – February 5th, 2012,weblink live,weblink March 23, 2019, December 6, 2017, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en,

2012 season

In the 2012 season, Gostkowski converted all 66 extra point attempts and 29-of-35 field goal attempts.WEB, Stephen Gostkowski 2012 Game Log,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, In Week 11, in the 59–24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, he tied his career high, with eight extra points converted to go along with a 31-yard field goal.WEB, Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots – November 18th, 2012,weblink live,weblink December 28, 2017, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, With 153 total points scored, he won the scoring title for the 2012 season.WEB, 2012 NFL Scoring Summary,weblink live,weblink December 14, 2017, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en,

2013 season

(File:Stephen Gostkowski kicking off.jpg|thumbnail|Gostkowski during the 2013 season)In the season opener against the Buffalo Bills, Gostkowski was a perfect 3–3, including the 35-yard game winning attempt.WEB, New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills – September 8th, 2013,weblink live,weblink December 26, 2017, September 20, 2022, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, In week 12 against Peyton Manning and the high-scoring Denver Broncos, Gostkowski made both his field goal attempts, including the game winning 31-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining in overtime.WEB, Denver Broncos at New England Patriots – November 24th, 2013,weblink live,weblink June 28, 2021, September 20, 2022, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, Gostkowski set a franchise record for the New England Patriots for most field goals in a season with 38 field goals made out of 41 attempts.WEB, December 29, 2013, Gostkowski sets franchise record for field goals,weblink dead,weblink" title="archive.today/20131230000244weblink">weblink December 30, 2013, September 20, 2022, Comcast SportsNet, During the AFC Divisional Round against the Indianapolis Colts on January 11, 2014, Gostkowski took over the role of punter for the Patriots after regular punter Ryan Allen was injured during the second quarter, averaging 41.8 yards per punt.WEB, Divisional Round – Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots – January 11th, 2014,weblink live,weblink November 14, 2017, September 20, 2022, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, On January 20, 2014, he was named to his second Pro Bowl, replacing Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater, who was playing in Super Bowl XLVIII.WEB, Reiss, Mike, January 19, 2014, Stephen Gostkowski added to Pro Bowl,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20190209124352weblink">weblink February 9, 2019, February 8, 2019, ESPN.com, en,

2014 season

Gostkowski scored three field goals against the Oakland Raiders in a 16–9 Week 3 victory; coincidentally, all the points in that game were scored by players whose names ended in "-kowski": all of Oakland's points were scored by Sebastian Janikowski, while the only touchdown in the game was scored by Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.NEWS, Peters, Micah, September 21, 2014, 'Kowski's score all of the points in Patriots-Raiders game, USAToday.com,weblink live, March 2, 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150304202442weblink">weblink March 4, 2015, In the Patriots' Week 15 41–13 rout of the Miami Dolphins, Gostkowski broke the Patriots' career scoring mark set by Vinatieri in 2005, doing so in just his 134th game as a Patriot.WEB, December 15, 2014, Stephen Gostkowski Becomes Patriots' All-Time Leading Scorer,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180410214741weblink">weblink April 10, 2018, September 20, 2022, Bleacher Report, en, Gostkowski finished the season with an NFL-leading 35 field goals out of 37 attempts (94.6%, a career-high).WEB, Stephen Gostkowski 2014 Game Log,weblink live,weblink January 5, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, He was honored with his third Pro Bowl selection and was selected as a Second-Team All-Pro (behind Vinatieri). Gostkowski won his first Super Bowl ring when the Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 28–24. He did not kick any field goals but made four extra points.WEB, Super Bowl XLIX – Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots – February 1st, 2015,weblink live,weblink January 30, 2018, December 7, 2017, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en,

2015 season

In a Week 3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Gostkowski recorded his 423rd consecutive extra point, breaking Matt Stover's record of 422. For the first three weeks, he converted all 14 extra point attempts and all seven field goal attempts, and was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for the third time in his career. During the Patriots' Week 5 game at AT&T Stadium versus the Dallas Cowboys, Gostkowski tied Vinatieri's franchise record kicking a 57-yard field goal to end the first half.WEB, New England Patriots at Dallas Cowboys – October 11th, 2015,weblink live,weblink January 2, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, Through the first five games of the season, Gostkowski was 12-for-12 on field goals and 21-for-21 on extra points.WEB, Stephen Gostkowski 2015 Game Log,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170707234020weblink">weblink July 7, 2017, September 20, 2022, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, He added three more field goals on three tries in a 30–23 win over the New York Jets in Week 7 to start his season 15-for-15.WEB, New York Jets at New England Patriots – October 25th, 2015,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, Against the Miami Dolphins in a 36–7 win on October 29, he was four-for-four on extra points and two-for-two on field goals, including a 52-yarder.WEB, Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – October 29th, 2015,weblink live,weblink March 19, 2018, September 20, 2022, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, Against the New York Giants on November 15, with only one second remaining, he kicked the game-winning 54-yard field goal to get the 27–26 win, with the Patriots staying undefeated at 9–0 on the season. Additionally, he surpassed Adam Vinatieri on the Patriots' all-time leader in field goals.WEB, New England Patriots at New York Giants – November 15th, 2015,weblink live,weblink March 2, 2018, September 20, 2022, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, With the performance against the Giants, Gostkowski improved to 21-of-21 field goals made and 34-of-34 extra points made for the season. In week 11, in a 20–13 win over the Buffalo Bills, Gostkowski missed a 54-yard field goal attempt; it was his first miss since November 30, 2014, and his first miss at home since Week 2 of the 2013 season.WEB, Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots – November 23rd, 2015,weblink live,weblink May 10, 2022, September 20, 2022, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, He finished the season with 151 points, marking the fourth consecutive season he exceeded 150 points; no other player in NFL history has scored 150 points more than once.WEB, NFL Single-Season Points Scored Leaders,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160106175907weblink">weblink January 6, 2016, January 4, 2016, Pro-Football-Reference.com, Gostkowski was named one of two starting kickers for the 2015 Pro Bowl (along with Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey); it was Gostkowski's third consecutive nomination, and fourth overall.WEB, December 22, 2015, Seven Patriots selected to NFL Pro Bowl squad,weblink live,weblink April 18, 2021, December 23, 2015, New England Patriots, Gostkowski was also named the kicker on the 2015 AP All-Pro first team, receiving 47 of 50 votes; Bailey received the other three votes.

2015 postseason

In the (2015–16 NFL playoffs#AFC: Denver Broncos 20, New England Patriots 18|AFC Championship Game) against the Denver Broncos, Gostkowski missed his first extra point since 2006 and only the second of his career, ending a streak of 523 consecutive successful attempts. After the Patriots were defeated 20–18 following a failed two-point conversion near the end of the game, Gostkowski blamed himself for the loss.WEB, January 25, 2016, Patriots K Stephen Gostkowski on PAT miss: 'I lost the game for the team',weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160126111837weblink">weblink January 26, 2016, January 27, 2016, Sports Illustrated, However, Gostkowski, who also scored two field goals during the game, was defended by Patriots coach Bill Belichick and teammates Julian Edelman, Logan Ryan, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola, and Malcolm Butler.WEB, McKenna, Henry, January 25, 2016, Bill Belichick, Julian Edelman back Stephen Gostkowski despite costly miss,weblink live,weblink December 21, 2018, January 27, 2016, Boston.com, WEB, Stites, Adam, January 25, 2016, Stephen Gostkowski says he 'lost the game' for Patriots, but his teammates disagree,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160128030954weblink">weblink January 28, 2016, January 27, 2016, SB Nation, It was also his first miss in 56 attempts since the NFL moved the spot for extra points from the 2-yard line back to the 15-yard line.Since The NFL Record & Fact Book does not count statistics from playoff games when calculating regular-season streaks, Gostkowski ended the regular season with his extra point streak active at 463.WEB, Farley, Glen, September 9, 2016, Patriots' Gostkowski still kickin',weblink live,weblink February 9, 2019, February 8, 2019, The Enterprise, Brockton, Massachusetts, en,

2016 season

During the 2016 offseason, the NFL changed the rule on kickoffs so that touchbacks would grant the offense an extra five yards, with possessions starting at the 25-yard line rather than the 20-yard line. The Patriots took advantage of Gostkowski's ability to deliver "mortar kicks" that have a long hang time but land inside the field of play, which then forces the opposing team to attempt to return the kick. In the Patriots' Week 1 upset of the Arizona Cardinals, the Patriots used such a kick to force the Cardinals to start their final drive, which ended in a missed field goal, at their own eight-yard line.WEB, New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals – September 11th, 2016,weblink live,weblink September 1, 2017, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, While against the Houston Texans in Week 3, the Patriots forced two fumbles on such kickoffs.WEB, Knowlton, Emmett, September 23, 2016, The Patriots are making a mockery of the NFL's new kickoff rule,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160924164215weblink">weblink September 24, 2016, September 25, 2016, Business Insider, He earned Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 13 for making all four field goal attempts including three over 45 yards and converted two extra points.WEB, Lewis, Edward, December 7, 2016, Andrew Luck headlines NFL Players of the Week,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20191123080736weblink">weblink November 23, 2019, October 1, 2019, NFL.com, Gostkowski missed an extra point in Week 6 against the Cincinnati Bengals to end his record regular-season streak at 479.NEWS, Patriots Pull Away From Steelers, courant.com, Associated Press,weblink live, January 6, 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170107010634weblink">weblink January 7, 2017, He finished the season tied for eighth in scoring with 127 points (27 of 32 field goals and 46 of 49 extra points); making the 2016 season the first time since 2011 that Gostkowski did not lead the NFL in scoring.WEB, NFL Points Scored Year-by-Year Leaders,weblink live,weblink June 29, 2022, September 20, 2022, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, Gostkowski appeared in a Pepsi commercial during the 2017 playoffs, joining the ranks of wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Antonio Brown.WEB, Williams, Lauren, January 4, 2017, Stephen Gostkowski appears in Pepsi's latest commercial,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180429070117weblink">weblink April 29, 2018, October 1, 2019, Patriots.com, Gostkowski became the first placekicker in Super Bowl history to start at placekicker for the winning team without kicking an extra point. In Super Bowl LI, Gostkowski missed the extra point on the Patriots' first touchdown, the Patriots successfully attempted two-point conversions on their second and third touchdowns, and the Patriots' final, game-winning touchdown came in overtime, so no extra point was needed.WEB, Wesseling, Chris, February 5, 2017, New England Patriots win Super Bowl LI,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170206032912weblink">weblink February 6, 2017, February 5, 2017, NFL.com, In the 34–28 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Gostkowski hit on a 41-yard attempt in the second quarter and a 33-yard attempt in the fourth quarter.WEB, Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons – February 5th, 2017,weblink live,weblink August 7, 2017, August 6, 2017, Pro-Football-Reference.com,

2017 season

In Week 4 during a 33–30 loss against the Carolina Panthers, Gostkowski set a new franchise record by making a 58-yard field goal, beating the 57-yard record he shared with Adam Vinatieri.WEB, Wire, The Patriots, October 1, 2017, Stephen Gostkowski scores a new career long and franchise record 58 yard field goal as Patriots head into overtime trailing by 1.,weblink live,weblink September 21, 2022, October 1, 2017, @Patriots_Wire, en, He broke that record in the Patriots' Week 11 game against the Oakland Raiders at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, kicking a 62-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.WEB, New England Patriots at Oakland Raiders – November 19th, 2017,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, That kick was tied for the sixth-longest field goal in NFL history. In that game, Gostkowski booted four field goals, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.WEB, Lam, Quang M., November 22, 2017, Antonio Brown, Mark Ingram among Players of Week,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20171201030831weblink">weblink December 1, 2017, October 1, 2019, NFL.com, In the 2017 regular season, Gostkowski was 45-of-47 on extra point attempts and 37-of-40 on field goal attempts.WEB, Stephen Gostkowski 2017 Game Log,weblink live,weblink January 4, 2018, January 4, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, His 156 points was the second highest total of any player in the NFL, behind only the Los Angeles Rams' Greg Zuerlein.WEB, 2017 NFL Scoring Summary,weblink live,weblink January 27, 2018, February 25, 2018, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, It was the fifth time Gostkowski had eclipsed the 150-point mark in his career.Gostkowski played in Super Bowl LII tying the record with former Patriot Adam Vinatieri to appear in five Super Bowls as a kicker. The Patriots failed to repeat as Super Bowl Champions after losing 41–33 to the Philadelphia Eagles. In the Super Bowl, Gostkowski made 2 field goals and 3 extra points but also missed a field goal and an extra point in the second quarter.WEB, Super Bowl LII – Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots – February 4th, 2018,weblink live,weblink March 1, 2018, February 8, 2019, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en,

2018 season

Gostkowski finished sixth in the league among kickers with 130 points scored.WEB, 2018 NFL Scoring Summary,weblink live,weblink February 9, 2019, February 8, 2019, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, He set a record for most Super Bowl appearances by a kicker, at six, breaking his tie with former Patriot Adam Vinatieri.WEB, Barnes, Evan, January 31, 2019, Patriots kicker, Memphis alum Stephen Gostkowski will set Super Bowl record with sixth appearance,weblink live,weblink February 9, 2019, February 8, 2019, The Commercial Appeal, en, In Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams, Gostkowski missed a field goal and made two during the Patriots win over the Rams. He kicked a 41-yard field goal with under two minutes left in the game to give the Patriots a 13–3 lead, essentially sealing the Super Bowl win for the Patriots.WEB, Hartwell, Darren, February 4, 2019, Why Stephen Gostkowski was "weirdly calm" on Super Bowl-clinching kick,weblinkweblink February 9, 2019, February 8, 2019, Yahoo! Sports, en-US, WEB, Super Bowl LIII – Los Angeles Rams vs. New England Patriots – February 3rd, 2019,weblink live,weblink February 4, 2019, February 8, 2019, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en,

2019 season: Final year in New England

On April 9, 2019, Gostkowski re-signed with the Patriots on a two-year, $8.5 million deal.WEB, Reiss, Mike, April 9, 2019, Source: Pats retain Gostkowski with 2-year deal,weblink live,weblink October 31, 2019, October 1, 2019, ESPN.com, On October 2, 2019, as a result of a left hip injury he sustained, Gostkowski was placed on injured reserve for the second time in his 14-year career.WEB, Buchmasser, Bernd, October 2, 2019, Patriots place kicker Stephen Gostkowski on injured reserve,weblink live,weblink October 2, 2019, October 2, 2019, PatsPulpit.com, Pats Pulpit, Mike Nugent was signed as his replacement, but eventually released. Nick Folk was brought in to assume the kicking duties, but was then also released and replaced by Kai Forbath. Folk eventually ended up being re-signed by the Patriots as their main kicker. WEB, Reiss, Mike, November 29, 2019, Patriots release kicker Nick Folk to sign Kai Forbath,weblink live,weblink November 30, 2019, November 30, 2019, ESPN, ESPN, On March 23, 2020, Gostkowski was released by the Patriots after 14 seasons with the team.WEB, Patra, Kevin, March 23, 2020, Patriots releasing kicker Stephen Gostkowski,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20200323195049weblink">weblink March 23, 2020, March 23, 2020, NFL.com,

Tennessee Titans

On September 3, 2020, the Tennessee Titans signed Gostkowski on a one-year deal. Gostkowski was a teammate of Titans head coach Mike Vrabel from 2006 to 2008, when Vrabel played linebacker for the Patriots.WEB, Patra, Kevin, September 3, 2020, Titans agree to terms with ex-Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski,weblink live,weblink September 3, 2020, September 3, 2020, NFL.com, In the season opener against the Denver Broncos, Gostkowski struggled, missing three field goals and an extra point. However, with 17 seconds left in the game, Gostkowski kicked a game-winning field goal, putting the Titans up 16–14.WEB, Davenport, Turron, September 15, 2020, Tennessee Titans' Stephen Gostkowski redeemed with 25-yard winner after four misses,weblink live,weblink September 15, 2020, September 15, 2020, ESPN.com, en, In Week 2 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, Gostkowski made three of four extra point attempts and two field goal attempts, including a 49-yard game-winner late in the fourth quarter.WEB, Jaguars vs. Titans – Game Summary – September 20, 2020 – ESPN,weblink live,weblink October 4, 2020, September 30, 2020, ESPN.com, en, Gostkowski was crucial to the Titans' Week 3 win versus the Minnesota Vikings, making all six of his field goals, including another game-winner late in the fourth quarter, this time from 55 yards out.WEB, Titans vs. Vikings – Play-By-Play – September 27, 2020 – ESPN,weblink live,weblink September 29, 2020, September 30, 2020, ESPN.com, en, He was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Week 3.WEB, Gordon, Grant, September 30, 2020, Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes lead Players of the Week,weblink live,weblink September 30, 2020, September 30, 2020, www.nfl.com, On October 1, 2020, Gostkowski was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for his performance in September.WEB, Gordon, Grant, October 1, 2020, Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, Bills QB Josh Allen among NFL Players of the Month,weblink live,weblink October 3, 2020, October 1, 2020, www.nfl.com, After not attempting a field goal in week five of the regular season, Gostkowski made only one of five attempted field goals in Weeks 6–8, notably missing a 45 yard game-tying field goal with 19 seconds left in the 4th quarter in a 24–27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. Had Gostkowski made the kick, the game would have likely been sent into overtime.WEB, DeArdo, Bryan, October 25, 2020, Steelers at Titans final score: Pittsburgh takes big lead before holding on to improve to 6–0,weblink live,weblink January 19, 2022, October 25, 2020, CBSSports.com, en, WEB, Alper, Josh, October 25, 2020, Steelers remain undefeated after late Stephen Gostkowski miss,weblink live,weblink October 31, 2020, October 26, 2020, NBC Sports, Gostkowski would however, only miss one of his nine attempted field goals in Weeks 9–16. He did not play in the Week 17 game against the Houston Texans due to being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and was replaced by rookie Sam Sloman.WEB, Backus, Will, January 2, 2021, Titans' Brett Kern off COVID list, Sam Sloman to replace Stephen Gostkowski vs Texans,weblink live,weblink September 21, 2022, January 19, 2021, Tennessean.com, The Titans won the AFC South with an 11–5 record, with Gostkowski finishing the season making 18 out of 26 field goals and making 44 out of 46 extra points, with the only missed extra points being from the first two games of the season. Gostkowski was later removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list and cleared to return for the Titans in the playoffs,WEB, Sparks, Adam, January 7, 2021, Titans' kicker Stephen Gostkowski, one of the best in playoff history, available to return against Ravens,weblink live,weblink September 21, 2022, January 19, 2021, Tennessean.com, making his two attempted field goals and one extra point as the Titans lost 20–13 to the Baltimore Ravens the (2020–21_NFL_playoffs#AFC:_Baltimore_Ravens_20,_Tennessee_Titans_13|Wild Card Round).WEB, Wild Card – Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans – January 10th, 2021,weblink live,weblink January 11, 2021, September 20, 2022, Pro-Football-Reference.com, en, Gostkowski was not re-signed by the Titans following the 2020 season, making him a free agent going into the 2021 season.WEB, September 2021, Titans thinking Super Bowl after overhauling D, adding Jones,weblink live,weblink September 2, 2021, September 2, 2021, Associated Press, He retired during the 2022 season after fifteen seasons and a persistent knee injury.WEB, Reiss, Mike, November 6, 2022, Former Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski moves from field to booth,weblink live,weblink December 9, 2022, December 9, 2022, ESPN.com, en, ">

NFL career statistics{| class"wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! colspan="2"| Legend| Won the Super Bowl| Led the league| Bold| Career high{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"|+Regular season statistics! rowspan="2"| Year! rowspan="2"| Team! rowspan="2"| GP! colspan="9"| Field Goals! colspan="3"| Extra Points! rowspan="2"| Total Points! {{abbr|FGM|Fields goals made}} !! {{abbr|FGA|Field goals attempted}} !! {{abbr|FG%|Completion percentage}} !! {{abbr|