Brian Moorman

Infobox NFLactive


name=Brian Moorman
|width=
caption=
currentteam=Buffalo Bills
currentnumber=8
currentpositionplain=Punter
birthdate=birth date and age|1976|2|5
birthplace=Wichita, Kansas
country=USA
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=172
debutyear=2001
debutteam=Buffalo Bills
highlights=
* Pro Bowl alternate (2002, 2004, 2007)
* 2x All-Pro (2005, 2006)
* 2x Pro Bowl selection (2005, 2006)
college=Pittsburg State
undraftedyear=1999
pastteams=
* Seattle Seahawks (1999-2000)*
* Buffalo Bills (2001-present):*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Punts
statvalue1=552
statlabel2=Punt Yards
statvalue2=23,775
statlabel3=Punting Yard Average
statvalue3=43.1
nfl=MOO801682

Brian Donald Moorman (born February 5, 1976 in Wichita, Kansas) 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, cornerbacks and the like.

High School career

At Sedgwick High School in Sedgwick, Kansas, Moorman lettered in football, track, and basketball. In track, he was a 3x state hurdle champion and received all-state honors in Football and Basketball.

Professional career

Moorman signed with the Buffalo Bills 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.

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 the intensity of hits made in the Pro-Bowl on another player is customarily toned-down. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Bowl] [ [http://nfl.com/probowl/ NFL Events: Pro Bowl ] ]

2007 season

On July 2, 2007 the Buffalo Bills rewarded Moorman with a 10 million dollar contract extension (through 2012), making him one of the highest paid punters in the league. Moorman was again rewarded for his stellar regular season play by making another Pro Bowl as an alternate.

2008 season

In a 34-10 opening day victory over the Seattle Seahawks, 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.

Charitable work

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.

References

External links

* [http://www.brianmoorman.org/ Brian Moorman's P.U.N.T. Foundation]