Shane Lechler

Edward Shane Lechler (born August 7, 1976) is an American former professional football player who played as punter for 18 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

Lechler attended Texas A&M University, and played for the Aggies football team from 1996 to 1999.

A versatile player, he was not only the Aggies' punter but also kicked off, was the long field goal kicker, served as the holder for short field goals and PATs, and was the emergency quarterback.

As a junior, he completed a 29-yard pass on a fake punt against Baylor and threw a touchdown pass to Dan Campbell on a fake field goal in a hard-fought 17–10 win against Texas Tech.

Lechler started his career off strong at Texas A&M, earning Freshman All-America honors in 1996 with a punting average of 42.7 yards.

After his sophomore season, he was named to the All-Big 12 team after breaking the Aggie single-season record with an average of 47.0 yards per punt.

When injuries depleted the depth chart, Lechler served as the backup quarterback for the 1998 Big 12 championship game.

At one point in the game, the Aggies' last healthy quarterback, Branndon Stewart, appeared shaken and a nervous-looking Lechler threw warmup passes on the sideline.

Stewart was able to stay in the game, however, and led the Aggies to a 36–33 victory over Kansas State, earning the Aggies their only Big 12 Championship.

Because of his contributions in so many facets of the game, coach R. C. Slocum called Lechler "the team's most valuable player."

He was named to The Sporting News All-America team as a junior in 1998, and was also an Associated Press first team All-American honors as a senior in 1999, a year in which his 46.5 yards per punt is second in the record books only to his own sophomore record of 47.0.

He is the NCAA record holder for career punt average with a mark of 44.7 yards per punt.

Lechler had only one punt blocked, against Ohio State in the 1999 Sugar Bowl.

He played college football at Texas A&M University and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.

Regarded as one of the greatest punters in NFL history, Lechler was named an All-Pro nine times during his career, and made seven Pro Bowls.

He led the league in punting average five times and is the NFL's all-time leader in career punting average.

Lechler was drafted in the fifth round with the 142nd overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft.

He was the only punter selected that year.

On September 3, 2000, in the season opener against the San Diego Chargers, Lechler made his NFL debut and had a season-high 10 punts for a season-high 424 net yards (42.4 average) as the Raiders won 9–6.

During Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he converted all seven extra-point attempts in the game as the Raiders won by a score of 49–31.

Two weeks later against the New Orleans Saints, Lechler had four punts for 219 net yards for a season-high 54.75 average as the Raiders won by a score of 31–22.

Lechler finished his rookie season with 65 punts for 2,984 net yards for a 45.91 average.

The Raiders finished atop the AFC West with a 12–4 record and qualified for the playoffs.

He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and earned First Team All-Pro honors.

Lechler made his playoff debut in the Divisional Round against the Miami Dolphins.

In the 27–0 victory, he had five punts for 234 net yards (46.8 average).

In the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens, he had seven punts for 315 net yards (45.00 average) in the 16–3 loss.

During the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, Lechler had four punts for 185 net yards (46.25 average) in the 27–24 road victory.

Two weeks later against the Miami Dolphins, he had a season-high seven punts for a season-high 345 net yards for a 49.29 average in the 18–15 road loss.

Three weeks later against the Indianapolis Colts, Lechler had five punts for 262 net yards for a season-high 52.4 average in the 23–18 road victory.

He earned his first Pro Bowl nomination.

Lechler finished his second professional season with 73 punts for 3,375 yards for a 46.23 average.

The Raiders finished atop the AFC West for the second consecutive season with a 10–6 record and made the playoffs, but their season ended in a 16–13 road loss to the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round.

Lechler's third professional season saw his team have a lot of success.

During a Week 4 52–25 victory over the Tennessee Titans, he had three punts for 134 net yards for a 44.67 average in his season debut.

Lechler was one of two punters named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, along with Hall of Famer Ray Guy.

Lechler attended East Bernard High School in East Bernard, Texas, and was a standout in football, basketball, golf, and baseball.

As quarterback, punter and placekicker, Lechler led East Bernard to the state quarterfinals his senior year, completing 87 of 101 (86.1%) passes for 1,640 yards and 11 touchdowns.

In his high school career, he passed for nearly 5,000 yards and averaged 41.6 yards per punt.

Lechler's longest punt in high school was 85 yards.