Brian Moorman
Encyclopedia
Brian Donald Moorman is an American football
punter
who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills
of the National Football League
. He was originally signed by the Seattle Seahawks
as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played collegiately
at Pittsburg State.
Moorman is a two-time Pro Bowl
selection for the Bills. He also possesses rare athleticism for his position and participated in the 2006 Pro Bowl
Skills Competition, usually reserved for wide receivers, cornerback
s and the like.
Moorman was voted into the Bills's 50th Anniversary Team.
, Moorman lettered
in football
, track
, and basketball
. In track, he was a 3× state hurdle champion and received all-state honors in Football and Basketball.
history. He earned first-team NCAA Division II All-America honors as a punter in each of his final two collegiate seasons (1997–98) after earning honorable mention All-America honors his first two years (1995–96). Moorman still holds the school's career punting record (43.97 ypp) and he was named to PSU's prestigious 100th Anniversary Football Team in 2003.
In track & field, Moorman earned All-America honors on 10 occasions, including three straight NCAA Division II national championships in the 400 meter hurdles (1997–99). He also claimed eight conference individual event titles. Moorman also still holds the Pittsburg State University school record in the 110 meter hurdles (13.81) and ranks second all-time at PSU in the 400m hurdles (49.77).
as a free agent
during the summer of 2001. As a player for the Bills, Moorman quickly gave the Bills reliable punting skill along with an aptitude of launching long punts when needed. In his second season with the Bills, Moorman booted an 84 yard punt in a game and averaged over 43 yards per kick, despite playing most of his games in one of the most challenging climates in the NFL. Over the past several seasons, Moorman's stellar play has seen him selected as a two time NFL All-Pro
(2005,2006) and garnered a unique and passionate following among some fans who believe he is the best player on the team: Often known as "Moormanators." Every year near Pro Bowl
voting time, these fans take up a cry of "Vote Moorman, Vote Often
". This folk-hero like status has even led to some fans creating joke Madden NFL
game covers with Brian on the cover. One also sees the occasional Moorman jersey at Ralph Wilson Stadium
, unheard of for a punter. Commentator Chris Berman nicknamed him Brian Moorman "Tabernacle Choir".
rewarded Moorman with a 10 million dollar contract extension (through 2012), making him the second-highest paid punter in the league, behind Shane Lechler
. Moorman was again rewarded for his stellar regular season play by making another Pro Bowl
as an alternate.
, Moorman lined up to hold for what looked like a routine Field Goal attempt by placekicker Rian Lindell
, but instead took the ball and heaved a 19 yard touchdown
strike to Defensive End
Ryan Denney
.
Programs PUNT is raising money for:
Brian's Locker-
The locker will meet a few of the needs of pediatric patients families by providing gift cards for groceries, gas and phone services. Along with gift cards, Brian's Locker will be outfitted with games, books and supplies for activities. Care packages filled with Moorman signed caps as well as mini footballs, water bottles, bandanas, gift cards for a New Era Cap, bars of soap, toothbrushes and hand sanitizer and lotion for newly diagnosed children. For more information on this program, click here.
Brian's Game Day-
Brian's Game Day gives WNY children affected by cancer and their families the opportunity to attend a Bills home game in a private suite. Many of these children are not able to sit with the general population because their medications and treatments compromise their immune systems. Attending a football game is not an option to many of these families. Through the Game Day program, children and their families are able to sit the safety of a private suite to enjoy a day at the stadium.
Field of Dreams-
The "Field of Dreams" program was established to present children suffering from cancer and their families with magical memories by providing a vacation experience of a lifetime with transportation, resort accommodations, attractions tickets and meals for a week-long fantasy vacation.
Helping Hands-
The "Helping Hands" program provides families with a child affected by pediatric cancer with financial support for their daily needs. We offer financial assistance for costs not covered by health insurance or by any other resource as families struggle with the daily living expenses and overwhelming emergency situations that arise when a child has cancer.
Adopt a Family-
"Adopt a Family" program provides parents of children with pediatric illnesses with the gift of being able to provide Christmas for their children. This is accomplished by providing the parents with gift cards to purchase gifts, food and Christmas decorations.
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
Punter (football position)
A punter in American or Canadian football is a special teams player who receives the snapped ball directly from the line of scrimmage and then punts the football to the opposing team so as to limit any field position advantage. This generally happens on a fourth down in American football and a...
who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East 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...
. He was originally signed by 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...
as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played collegiately
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 Pittsburg State.
Moorman is a two-time 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...
selection for the Bills. He also possesses rare athleticism for his position and participated in the 2006 Pro Bowl
2006 Pro Bowl
The 2006 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on February 12, 2006 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. It marked the 27th consecutive time that the National Football League's all-star game was held in Honolulu...
Skills Competition, usually reserved for wide receivers, cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
s and the like.
Moorman was voted into the Bills's 50th Anniversary Team.
Early years
At Sedgwick High School in Sedgwick, KansasSedgwick, Kansas
Sedgwick is a city in Harvey and Sedgwick counties in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,695.-History:Sedgwick was named after John Sedgwick, who was a Major General in the Union Army during the American Civil War....
, Moorman lettered
Varsity letter
A varsity letter is an award earned in the United States for excellence in school activities. A varsity letter signifies that its winner was a qualified varsity team member, awarded after a certain standard was met.- Description :...
in football
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...
, track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
, and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. In track, he was a 3× state hurdle champion and received all-state honors in Football and Basketball.
Collegiate career
Moorman became the first four-time All-American football player in Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg State University
Pittsburg State University, also called Pitt State or PSU, is a public university with approximately 7,100 students located in Pittsburg, Kansas, United States. A large percentage of the student population consists of residents within the Pittsburg region; the gender proportion is relatively equal...
history. He earned first-team NCAA Division II All-America honors as a punter in each of his final two collegiate seasons (1997–98) after earning honorable mention All-America honors his first two years (1995–96). Moorman still holds the school's career punting record (43.97 ypp) and he was named to PSU's prestigious 100th Anniversary Football Team in 2003.
In track & field, Moorman earned All-America honors on 10 occasions, including three straight NCAA Division II national championships in the 400 meter hurdles (1997–99). He also claimed eight conference individual event titles. Moorman also still holds the Pittsburg State University school record in the 110 meter hurdles (13.81) and ranks second all-time at PSU in the 400m hurdles (49.77).
Professional career
Moorman signed with the Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as 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....
during the summer of 2001. As a player for the Bills, Moorman quickly gave the Bills reliable punting skill along with an aptitude of launching long punts when needed. In his second season with the Bills, Moorman booted an 84 yard punt in a game and averaged over 43 yards per kick, despite playing most of his games in one of the most challenging climates in the NFL. Over the past several seasons, Moorman's stellar play has seen him selected as a two time NFL All-Pro
All-Pro
All-Pro is a term mostly used in the NFL for the best players of each position during that season. It began as polls of sportswriters in the early 1920s...
(2005,2006) and garnered a unique and passionate following among some fans who believe he is the best player on the team: Often known as "Moormanators." Every year near 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...
voting time, these fans take up a cry of "Vote Moorman, Vote Often
Vote early and vote often
Vote early and vote often is a generally tongue-in-cheek phrase used in relation to elections and the voting process. Though rarely considered a serious suggestion, the phrase theoretically encourages corrupt electoral activity, but is used mostly to suggest the occurrence of such corruption.The...
". This folk-hero like status has even led to some fans creating joke Madden NFL
Madden NFL
Madden NFL is an American football video game series developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon for EA Sports. The game series is named after Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden, a well-known former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Oakland Raiders and color commentator...
game covers with Brian on the cover. One also sees the occasional Moorman jersey at Ralph Wilson Stadium
Ralph Wilson Stadium
Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL...
, unheard of for a punter. Commentator Chris Berman nicknamed him Brian Moorman "Tabernacle Choir".
2006 Season
Moorman was named to the starting squad of the 2006 Pro Bowl for the second consecutive year. During the game, after what was determined as an actual punt play, instead of punting the ball Moorman decided to run on 4th down to convert into a 1st, about 3 yards away from a 1st down, Redskin's free safety Sean Taylor (21) came from 30 yards out of the backfield and completely leveled Moorman with what became the hit of the game. Taylor knocked the ball loose as Moorman flew back 3 yards and pivoted to the horizontal even before landing on his back. Moorman quickly regained his feet and in an act of good sportsmanship after he took the hit, he raced to midfield to congratulate Sean Taylor for making the big play, even though it is customary to turn down the intensity in the Pro Bowl.2007 season
On July 2, 2007 the Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
rewarded Moorman with a 10 million dollar contract extension (through 2012), making him the second-highest paid punter in the league, behind Shane Lechler
Shane Lechler
Edward Shane Lechler is an American football punter who currently plays for the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League. Lechler played college football for Texas A&M from 1996-1999. In the NFL, Lechler has been named an All-Pro eight times during his career...
. Moorman was again rewarded for his stellar regular season play by making another 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...
as an alternate.
2008 season
In a 34-10 opening day victory over the Seattle SeahawksSeattle 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...
, Moorman lined up to hold for what looked like a routine Field Goal attempt by placekicker Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell is an American football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2000...
, but instead took the ball and heaved a 19 yard touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
strike to Defensive End
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Ryan Denney
Ryan Denney
Ryan Craig Denney is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
.
2009 season
Brian Moorman had one of his best seasons as he punted for a new career average of 46.6 yards per punt. He also had a new career high in total yards punting with 4192 yards.PUNT Foundation
In 2004 Moorman and his wife, Amber, founded Brian Moorman's PUNT Foundation to make a difference in the lives of children in Western New York who face life threatening illnesses. The mission of the PUNT Foundation is to provide children affected by cancer and their families with the opportunities and support to enjoy the life they fight so hard for. The Foundation provides assistance, valuable family-centered programs and events designed to enrich their lives, and provide them with unique, memorable opportunities.Programs PUNT is raising money for:
Brian's Locker-
The locker will meet a few of the needs of pediatric patients families by providing gift cards for groceries, gas and phone services. Along with gift cards, Brian's Locker will be outfitted with games, books and supplies for activities. Care packages filled with Moorman signed caps as well as mini footballs, water bottles, bandanas, gift cards for a New Era Cap, bars of soap, toothbrushes and hand sanitizer and lotion for newly diagnosed children. For more information on this program, click here.
Brian's Game Day-
Brian's Game Day gives WNY children affected by cancer and their families the opportunity to attend a Bills home game in a private suite. Many of these children are not able to sit with the general population because their medications and treatments compromise their immune systems. Attending a football game is not an option to many of these families. Through the Game Day program, children and their families are able to sit the safety of a private suite to enjoy a day at the stadium.
Field of Dreams-
The "Field of Dreams" program was established to present children suffering from cancer and their families with magical memories by providing a vacation experience of a lifetime with transportation, resort accommodations, attractions tickets and meals for a week-long fantasy vacation.
Helping Hands-
The "Helping Hands" program provides families with a child affected by pediatric cancer with financial support for their daily needs. We offer financial assistance for costs not covered by health insurance or by any other resource as families struggle with the daily living expenses and overwhelming emergency situations that arise when a child has cancer.
Adopt a Family-
"Adopt a Family" program provides parents of children with pediatric illnesses with the gift of being able to provide Christmas for their children. This is accomplished by providing the parents with gift cards to purchase gifts, food and Christmas decorations.