Robbie Gould

Infobox NFLactive


name=Robbie Gould
|width=
caption=
currentteam=Chicago Bears
currentnumber=9
currentposition=Placekicker
birthdate=birth date and age|1982|12|6
birthplace=Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania
country=USA
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=185
debutyear=2005
debutteam=Chicago Bears
college=Penn State
undraftedyear=2005
pastteams=
* New England Patriots (2005)*
* Baltimore Ravens (2005)*
* Chicago Bears (2005-present):*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
status=Active
highlights=
* NFC Special Teams Player of the Month (10/06)
* All-Pro selection (2006)
* Pro Bowl selection (2006)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Field Goals Made
statvalue1=84
statlabel2=Field Goals Attempted
statvalue2=99
statlabel3=Field Goals %
statvalue3=84.8
nfl=GOU258729

Robert Paul Gould III (pronEng|Gōld) (born December 6 1982) is an American football placekicker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Penn State.

Early years

Gould was born to Cheryl and Robert Gould in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. His father was a three-time All-American soccer player who led Lock Haven University to a Division II national championship. and was drafted by the St. Louis Steamers in the early 80s. His brother, Christopher, is currently a kicker and punter for the University of Virginia. [ [http://virginiasports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/gould_chris01.html CSTV.com: #1 in College Sports ] ] He attended Central Mountain High School in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, where he won letters in football, soccer, basketball, and track. During the 2000 Boys' Soccer District Championship, Gould scored the game winning goal with seconds left. Although originally interested in becoming a professional soccer player, he eventually chose to pursue a career in football, asking his high school principal to send a letter of recommendation to Penn State head football coach, Joe Paterno, who invited Gould to try out as a freshman walk-on [http://www.altoonamirror.com/Sports/articles.asp?articleID=8729 Altoona Mirror | Altoona Mirror ] ] .

Professional career

The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots signed rookie free-agent Gould prior to the 2005 NFL preseason, despite the fact they already had Adam Vinatieri. [ [http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=93&p=2&c=611909 Scout.com: Gould Getting a Leg Up ] ] Following his preseason release from the Patriots, Gould next signed with the Baltimore Ravens, only to be waived three weeks later. Following his stint with Baltimore, Gould worked construction at M&R Contracting in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania. The Bears signed him on October 8, 2005, following the week three injury of their starting kicker, Doug Brien. [http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/CHI/8958220] Gould kicked his first NFL field goal the next week in a 20-10 loss at Cleveland, and his first game-winner in week nine against the New Orleans Saints. He would finish the 2005 season with a 77% field goal percentage and hitting all but one of his 20 PAT attempts.

Gould kicked 26 consecutive field goals during the 2006 NFL season. His accomplishments broke former Bears’ kicker Kevin Butler’s record of most consecutive field goals, and landed him acclaim as the NFL Special Teams Player of the Month for October 2006. Additionally, NFL fans across the nation selected Gould as the NFC’s kicker for the 2007 Pro Bowl. He was also named to the 2006 All-Pro team by the Associated Press [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070109/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_nfl_all_pro_team] . Gould made a 25-yard field goal in overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allowing the Bears to emerge victorious and clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs [ [http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2821 Grossman stays hot in leading Bears to win - Chicago Bears ] ] . On January 14, 2007, Gould kicked a 49-yard field goal in overtime against the Seattle Seahawks, enabling the Bears to win their first divisional playoff game since 1988 and advance to the NFC Championship game. The Bears won the NFC Championship game, but lost Super Bowl XLI, 29-17.

On May 12, 2008, Gould signed an extension with the Bears that would keep him on the team through the 2013 seasoncite web | author=espn.com | title=Year after Pro Bowl season, Bears sign kicker Gould to five-year extension | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3392524 | work=espn.com | date=2008-05-12 | accessdate=2008-05-12] . The contract, reportedly worth $15.5 million plus a $4.25 million signing bonus, makes Gould the NFL's highest-paid kicker.cite web | last = Seligman | first = Andrew | title=Bears make Robbie Gould NFL's highest-paid kicker | url=http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_9235167 | work=The Mercury News | date=2008-05-12 | accessdate=2008-05-12]

Personal life

He is good friends with teammates Patrick Mannelly and Brad Maynard, who directly assist Gould on every field goal and extra point attempt as the long snapper and holder.WGN-TV, "MLB Baseball : "St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs", April 22, 2007, 2007 Chicago Cubs season.] [ [http://www.dabearz.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14728 Students get lowdown on Bears kicker - DaBearz - Chicago Bears Message Board ] ]

Gould performed "Take me out to the ball game" during the Seventh inning stretch at a Chicago Cubs' game. He later had an interview with WGN-TV's commentators, Len Kasper and Bob Brenly.WGN-TV, "MLB Baseball : "St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs", April 22 2007, 2007 Chicago Cubs season.]

Despite the misleading spelling of his surname, "Gould" is pronounced "gōld", just like Gold, prompting many announcers to use the phrase "Gould is gold" or "Good as Gould" when scoring a field goal. [ [http://bleacherreport.com/articles/23206-Chicago-Bears-Strike-A-Gould-Mine Chicago Bears Strike a Gold Mine Signing Robbie Gould through 2013 | Bleacher Report ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.robbiegould9.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.chicagobears.com/team/player.asp?player_id=29 Official Bears' Profile]
* [http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=93&p=2&c=611909 "Gould Getting a Leg Up"] , scout.com, January 22, 2007
* [http://www.altoonamirror.com/Sports/articles.asp?articleID=8729 "Lock Haven native now living the American dream"] , "The Altoona Mirror", January 28, 2007