Daniel Sepulveda
Encyclopedia
Daniel Wade Sepulveda is an American
football punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers
. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers
in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Baylor
. He is the only two-time Ray Guy Award
winner.
at Baylor University
. He was a walk-on to the football team as a linebacker
, and after a redshirt freshman season (despite not having punted since junior high) became the Bears' starting punter, earning a scholarship after the 2003 season. He won the Ray Guy Award
in 2004 and 2006 as well as being a three time All American team member (3rd in 2004, 2nd in 2005, 1st in 2006). He is the only punter to win the Ray Guy Award twice.
. After the release of former starter
Chris Gardocki
, Sepulveda successfully bested Mike Barr
for the starting job. Sepulveda signed a three year contract for $1.46 million with the Steelers on May 31, 2007. He was given the nickname, "Spatula", by fans.
In the first quarter of a December 20 game against the St. Louis Rams
his rookie season, Sepulveda completed a 32-yard pass to running back Najeh Davenport
on a fake punt play.
On July 29, 2008, Sepulveda tore the ACL in his right leg for the second time. He had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament on August 6. He was placed on injured reserve
by the Steelers after the surgery, officially ending his season.
On December 5, 2010, he again injured his right knee in a game against the Baltimore Ravens. Jeremy Kapinos
was signed to replace Sepulveda. On July 31st, 2011, the Steelers re-signed Sepulveda to a 1 year deal.
In the second quarter of a October 9th, 2011 game against the Tennessee Titans
Sepulveda completed his second career pass for a first down, a 33-yard pass to Ryan Mundy
on a fake punt play.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
football punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Baylor
Baylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
. He is the only two-time Ray Guy Award
Ray Guy Award
The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to college football's top punter by the Greater Augusta Sports Council. The award is named after punter Ray Guy, a former All-American at Southern Mississippi and an all-pro player for the Oakland Raiders.-Criteria:...
winner.
College career
He was an All-AmericanCollege Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
at Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
. He was a walk-on to the football team as a linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, and after a redshirt freshman season (despite not having punted since junior high) became the Bears' starting punter, earning a scholarship after the 2003 season. He won the Ray Guy Award
Ray Guy Award
The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to college football's top punter by the Greater Augusta Sports Council. The award is named after punter Ray Guy, a former All-American at Southern Mississippi and an all-pro player for the Oakland Raiders.-Criteria:...
in 2004 and 2006 as well as being a three time All American team member (3rd in 2004, 2nd in 2005, 1st in 2006). He is the only punter to win the Ray Guy Award twice.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Sepulveda was drafted in the fourth round by the Steelers in the 2007 NFL Draft2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. After the release of former starter
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
Chris Gardocki
Chris Gardocki
Christopher Allen Gardocki is a former punter in the National Football League. Gardocki has spent time with the Chicago Bears, the Indianapolis Colts, the Cleveland Browns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers...
, Sepulveda successfully bested Mike Barr
Mike Barr (football player)
Mike Barr is an American football punter who is currently a free agent.He attended Rutgers University, where he finished as one of the best Rutgers punters in school history. Since then, he has had experience in both the Washington Redskins and New York Jets training camps in 2003 and has been...
for the starting job. Sepulveda signed a three year contract for $1.46 million with the Steelers on May 31, 2007. He was given the nickname, "Spatula", by fans.
In the first quarter of a December 20 game against the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
his rookie season, Sepulveda completed a 32-yard pass to running back Najeh Davenport
Najeh Davenport
Najeh Trenadious Monté Davenport is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
on a fake punt play.
On July 29, 2008, Sepulveda tore the ACL in his right leg for the second time. He had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament on August 6. He was placed on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
by the Steelers after the surgery, officially ending his season.
On December 5, 2010, he again injured his right knee in a game against the Baltimore Ravens. Jeremy Kapinos
Jeremy Kapinos
Jeremy D. Kapinos is an American football punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was first signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
was signed to replace Sepulveda. On July 31st, 2011, the Steelers re-signed Sepulveda to a 1 year deal.
In the second quarter of a October 9th, 2011 game against the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
Sepulveda completed his second career pass for a first down, a 33-yard pass to Ryan Mundy
Ryan Mundy
Ryan Gregory Mundy is an American football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
on a fake punt play.