Jerry DePoyster

Jerry DePoyster
Jerry DePoyster
Position(s)
Kicker/Punter
Jersey #(s)
15, 4
Born July 6, 1946 (1946-07-06) (age 65)
Omaha, Nebraska)
Career information
Year(s) 19681972
NFL Draft 1968 / Round: 2 / Pick: 37
College University of Wyoming
Professional teams
Career stats
Field goals 15 / 3
Extra points 20 / 18
Punts - yards 177 - 6912
Stats at NFL.com
Career highlights and awards
  • No notable achievements

Jerry Dean DePoyster (born July 6, 1946 in Omaha, Nebraska) is a former American football placekicker and punter who also played in the National Football League.

College career

Jerry DePoyster was an All-American college football player at the University of Wyoming, taking the school to a first ever Sugar Bowl in New Orleans in 1968. In a 40-7 victory over Utah in 1966, DePoyster became the first kicker in NCAA history to make three field goals of over 50 yards in one game, connecting from 54, 54 and 52 yards. The win was part of a 10-1 season for the Cowboys that included a WAC title and a Sun Bowl triumph over Florida State. He was inducted into the University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame on September 15, 2006.

Professional career

DePoyster was a 2nd round selection (37th overall pick) the 1968 Common Draft by the Detroit Lions. He would participate in all 14 of the Lions games that season. He next would play for the Oakland Raiders (1971–1972) until the arrival of the legendary Ray Guy (who was the first pure punter ever taken in the first round of the NFL draft). DePoyster was an average punter, and has the dubious distinction of having one of the shortest punts in NFL history. He received the snap at the Raider 2 yard line, and booted an eleven yard lame duck, which was promptly returned for a touchdown by the New York Jets. To add injury to insult, DePoyster was flattened by the returner, who bulldozed DePoyster on his way to the Raider end zone.

External links