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Bradley Pinion

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Bradley Pinion
refer to caption
Pinion with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016
No. 13 – Atlanta Falcons
Position:Punter Kickoff specialist
Personal information
Born: (1994-06-01) June 1, 1994 (age 30)
Concord, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:Northwest Cabarrus
(Kannapolis, North Carolina)
College:Clemson (2012–2014)
NFL draft:2015 / round: 5 / pick: 165
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 9, 2024
Punts:664
Punting yards:29,481
Average punt:44.4
Longest punt:73
Inside 20:229
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Bradley Alexander Pinion (born June 1, 1994) is an American professional football punter and kickoff specialist for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

Early life

[edit]

Pinion attended Northwest Cabarrus High School in Concord, North Carolina.[1] He committed to Clemson University to play college football.[2]

College career

[edit]

Pinion played college football at Clemson from 2012 to 2014 under head coach Dabo Swinney.[3]

As a freshman in the 2012 season, Pinion only appeared in five games with teammate Spencer Benton doing a majority of the work that season.[4] On September 8, he made his collegiate debut in the 52–27 win over Ball State. In the game, he had three punts for 117 yards (39.0 average).[5] Overall, in the 2012 season, he recorded nine punts for 355 yards (39.4 average).[6]

As a sophomore in the 2013 season, Pinion became the main punter for the Tigers. That season, he handled the punting duties for all but three attempts, which went to Ammon Lakip and Andy Teasdall.[7] In the season opener, against the Georgia Bulldogs, Pinion had a season-high seven punts for a season-high 287 yards (41.0 average).[8] In the next game, against South Carolina State, he had four punts for 195 yards for a season-high 48.8 average.[9] Overall, in the 2013 season, Pinion had 56 punts for 2,205 yards for a 39.4 average.[10]

As a junior in the 2014 season, Pinion continued his role as the main punter for the Tigers. That season, he handled all but one punt, which went to Andy Teasdall. Pinion attempted and converted three extra points on the season.[11] In the season opener, against the Georgia Bulldogs, Pinion had a season-high ten punts for a season-high 451 yards (45.1 average).[12] In two consecutive games in October, against Louisville and Boston College, he recorded games with 10 punts in each contest with 419 and 418 net punting yards respectively.[13][14] On November 6, against Wake Forest, he recorded three punts for 147 net yards for a season-high 49.0 average.[15] In his final collegiate game, against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Russell Athletic Bowl, Pinion recorded five punts for 217 yards (43.4 average).[16] Throughout his junior season, teammates referred to Pinion as "the steering column" for his remarkable control over the direction of his punts. Pinion elected to forgo his senior season and decided to enter the NFL draft.[17]

College statistics

[edit]
Season Team Conf Class Punting
Punts Yds Avg XPM XPA XP% Pts
2012 Clemson ACC FR 9 355 39.4 — — — —
2013 Clemson ACC SO 56 2,205 39.4 — — — —
2014 Clemson ACC JR 75 3,194 42.6 3 3 100.0 3
Career 140 5,754 41.1 3 3 100.0 3

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash
6 ft 5 in
(1.96 m) 		229 lb
(104 kg) 		32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m) 		10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		 5.18 s
All values from NFL Combine[18][19][20]

San Francisco 49ers

[edit]
Pinion and Robbie Gould with the 49ers in 2017

2015 season

[edit]

Pinion was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round, 165th overall, of the 2015 NFL draft.[21] He was the only punter to be selected in the draft that year.[22]

During the season-opening 20–3 over the Minnesota Vikings, Pinion had three punts for 140 yards (46.67 average) in his NFL debut.[23] During a narrow Week 9 17–16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Pinion recorded five punts for 241 net yards for a season-high 48.20 average.[24] During a Week 13 26–20 overtime road victory over the Chicago Bears, he recorded nine punts for a season-high 433 yards (48.11 average).[25]

Pinion finished his rookie season with 91 punts for 3,969 yards for a 43.62 average.[26]

2016 season

[edit]

Pinion began his second NFL season with very similar statistics in the first three games. In the season opener, against the Los Angeles Rams, he recorded seven punts for 319 yards (45.57 average) in the 28–0 shutout victory.[27] In the next game against the Carolina Panthers, Pinion had seven punts for 318 yards (45.43 average) in the 46–27 road loss.[28] The following week against the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded seven punts for 319 yards in the 37–18 road loss.[29]

During a Week 5 33–21 loss the Arizona Cardinals, he recorded seven punts for 349 yards for a season-high 49.86 average.[30] In Week 16, in the second divisional game against the Rams, Pinion recorded a season-high nine punts for a season-high 372 net yards (41.33 average) in the narrow 22–21 road victory.[31]

Pinion finished his second professional season with 100 punts for 4,402 net yards for a 44.02 average in 2016.[32] His 100 punts led the league in attempts.[33]

2017 season

[edit]

Pinion remained as the 49ers' punter going into his third professional season. During a Week 4 18–15 overtime road loss to the Cardinals, he recorded seven punts for 351 yards for a season-high 50.14 average.[34] During a Week 8 33–10 road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded eight punts for a season-high 364 yards (44.00 average).[35] During a Week 12 24–13 loss to the Seahawks, Pinion recorded a season-high nine punts for 342 yards (38.00 average).[36] Pinion recorded a then career-low 75 punts for 3,255 yards for a 43.4 average in 2017.[37]

2018 season

[edit]

During the season-opening 24–16 road loss to the Vikings, Pinion recorded four punts for 174 yards.[38] During a Week 9 37–3 victory over the Oakland Raiders, Pinion recorded three punts for 164 yards for a 54.7 average, including a season-long 64-yard punt.[39] His performance against the Raiders earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[40] Pinion recorded a then career-low 68 punts for 2,973 yards for a 43.7 average in 2018.[41]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]
Pinion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January 2021

On March 13, 2019, Pinion signed a four-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[42] Overall, Pinion played in all 16 games and recorded a then career-low 57 punts for 2,464 yards for a 43.23 average in 2019.[43]

Pinion was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 15, 2020,[44] and activated three days later.[45] Overall, Pinion played in all 16 games and recorded a career-low 55 punts for 2,486 yards for a 45.2 average in 2020.[46] He appeared in Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs and punted four times for 150 yards for a 37.5 net average in the 31–9 victory.[47][48]

During the narrow 2021 season-opening 31–29 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Pinion punted four times with an average of 49.3 yards, including three inside the 10-yard line, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.[49][50] In the 2021 season, Pinion punted 56 times for 2,378 yards for a 42.46 average.[51]

On June 22, 2022, Pinion was released by the Buccaneers.[52]

Atlanta Falcons

[edit]

On June 30, 2022, Pinion signed with the Falcons.[53] During a Week 3 27–23 road victory over the Seahawks, he recorded a career-long 73 yard punt.[54] Pinion finished the 2022 season with 62 punts for 2,845 yards for a 42.46 average.[55]

On March 13, 2023, Pinion signed a three-year, $8.65 million contract extension with the Falcons.[56] In the 2023 season, Pinion had 75 punts for 3,523 yards for a 46.97 average.[57]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Led the league
Bold Career high
Regular season statistics
Year Team GP Punting
Punts Yds Avg Blk Lng
2015 SF 16 91 3,969 43.6 0 62
2016 SF 16 100 4,402 44.0 0 65
2017 SF 16 75 3,255 43.4 0 59
2018 SF 16 68 2,973 43.7 1 64
2019 TB 16 57 2,464 43.2 0 63
2020 TB 16 55 2,486 45.2 0 62
2021 TB 15 56 2,378 42.5 0 65
2022 ATL 17 62 2,845 45.9 0 73
Career 128 564 24,782 43.9 1 73
Postseason statistics
Year Team GP Punting
Punts Yds Avg Blk Lng
2020 TB 4 13 540 41.5 0 53
2021 TB 2 11 553 50.3 0 61
Career 6 24 1,093 45.5 0 61

Personal life

[edit]

Pinion is married to Kaeleigh Pinion.[58] He is a Christian.[59] Pinion is also a supporter of Compassion International.[60]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hutton, Henry (May 15, 2017). "Living the Dream: Ex-Northwest Cabarrus star growing as player, person with San Francisco 49ers". The Independent Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  2. ^ "Bradley Pinion, Northwest Cabarrus , Kicker". 247Sports. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  3. ^ "Bradley Pinion College Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  4. ^ "2012 Clemson Tigers Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  5. ^ "Ball State at Clemson Box Score, September 8, 2012". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  6. ^ "Bradley Pinion 2012 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  7. ^ "2013 Clemson Tigers Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  8. ^ "Georgia at Clemson Box Score, August 31, 2013". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  9. ^ "South Carolina State at Clemson Box Score, September 7, 2013". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  10. ^ "Bradley Pinion 2013 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  11. ^ "2014 Clemson Tigers Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  12. ^ "Clemson at Georgia Box Score, August 30, 2014". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  13. ^ "Louisville at Clemson Box Score, October 11, 2014". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  14. ^ "Clemson at Boston College Box Score, October 18, 2014". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  15. ^ "Clemson at Wake Forest Box Score, November 6, 2014". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  16. ^ "Russell Athletic Bowl – Oklahoma vs Clemson Box Score, December 29, 2014". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  17. ^ Rodgers, Joe (January 6, 2015). "Clemson punter to forgo senior year, enter NFL Draft". Sporting News. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  18. ^ "Bradley Pinion Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  19. ^ "Bradley Pinion, Clemson, P, 2015 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". www.draftscout.com.
  20. ^ "Bradley Pinion, Combine Results, P – Clemson". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  21. ^ Emerick, Tyler (May 2, 2015). "San Francisco 49ers Draft Clemson P Bradley Pinion". 49ers.com. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  22. ^ "2015 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  23. ^ "Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – September 14th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  24. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – November 8th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  25. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears – December 6th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  26. ^ "Bradley Pinion 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  27. ^ "Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – September 12th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  28. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers – September 18th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  29. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – September 25th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  30. ^ "Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – October 6th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  31. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – December 24th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  32. ^ "Bradley Pinion 2016 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  33. ^ "2016 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  34. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – October 1st, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  35. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles – October 29th, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  36. ^ "Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers – November 26th, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  37. ^ "Bradley Pinion 2017 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  38. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings – September 9th, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  39. ^ "Oakland Raiders at San Francisco 49ers – November 1st, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  40. ^ "Kareem Hunt, Michael Thomas among Players of the Week". NFL.com. November 7, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  41. ^ "Bradley Pinion 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  42. ^ Smith, Scott (March 13, 2019). "Bucs Boot Up Free Agency with Punter Bradley Pinion". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  43. ^ "Bradley Pinion 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  44. ^ Vitali, Carmen (December 15, 2020). "Specialists Succop, Pinion & Triner Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 List". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  45. ^ Smith, Scott (December 18, 2020). "Bucs Specialists Activated from Reserve/COVID-19 List". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  46. ^ "Bradley Pinion 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  47. ^ Patra, Kevin (February 7, 2021). "What we learned from Buccaneers win over Chiefs in Super Bowl LV". NFL.com. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  48. ^ "Super Bowl LV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 7th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  49. ^ Gordon, Grant (September 15, 2021). "Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, Rams QB Matthew Stafford lead Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  50. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – September 9th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  51. ^ "Bradley Pinion 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  52. ^ Smith, Scott (June 23, 2022). "Bucs Release Punter Bradley Pinion". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  53. ^ McElhaney, Tori (June 30, 2022). "Falcons sign veteran punter to special teams unit". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  54. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks – September 25th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  55. ^ "Bradley Pinion 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  56. ^ McElhaney, Tori (March 13, 2023). "Falcons sign punter, kickoff specialist Bradley Pinion to three-year deal". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  57. ^ "Bradley Pinion 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  58. ^ Pinion, Bradley (June 24, 2018). "Introducing The Pinions!!". Twitter. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  59. ^ Mercer, Kevin (September 12, 2019). "Buccaneers punter Bradley Pinion's incredible story of the 'angel' who influenced him to attend Clemson". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  60. ^ Mercer, Kevin (December 7, 2022). "Falcons punter Bradley Pinion reps Jesus with words, Compassion International with cleats". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
[edit]
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