Jason Elam

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Atlanta Falcons
currentnumber=1
currentposition=Placekicker
birthdate=birth date and age|1970|3|8
birthplace=Fort Walton Beach, Florida
heightft=5
heightin=11
weight=195
debutyear=1993
debutteam=Denver Broncos
college=Hawaii
draftyear=1993
draftround=3
draftpick=70
pastteams=
* Denver Broncos (1993-2007)
* Atlanta Falcons (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* 3x Pro Bowl (1995, 1998, 2001)
* 2x Super Bowl champion (XXXII, XXXIII)
* AFC Special Teams Player of the Month (11/01)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Field Goals Made
statvalue1=395
statlabel2=Field Goals Attempted
statvalue2=490
statlabel3=Field Goals %
statvalue3=80.6
nfl=ELA548409

Jason Elam (born March 8, 1970 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida) is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Elam won two Super Bowl rings with the Broncos and is tied with Tom Dempsey for the longest field goal in NFL history at 63 yards.

Early years

Elam attended Brookwood High School, a powerhouse in Snellville, Georgia, and lettered in football, swimming and track. In football, he was a first-team All-County honoree and a second-team All-State.

College career

In four years as the placekicker for the University of Hawaii at Mānoa football team, Elam scored the third-most points in NCAA history (397) and tied for the second-most field goals kicked (79). He is the all-time leading scorer in the Western Athletic Conference and was a three-time All-WAC selection. Elam also majored in communications while at Hawaii.

Professional career

Denver Broncos

Elam was drafted out of the University of Hawaii by the Broncos in the third round (70th pick overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft.

No player in NFL history has scored more points for one team than Elam has with the Denver Broncos. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2007-09-19-247993403_x.htm Broncos kicker Jason Elam off to a wild start - USATODAY.com ] ] [ [http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20070909_DEN@BUF Buffalo Bills, Jason Elam, Jay Cutler, Javon Walker, National Football League, Denver Broncos - CBSSports.com ] ] [ [http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8027729e&template=without-video&confirm=true Exciting back-to-back wins mask Broncos' plentiful problems ] ] He also holds NFL records for most consecutive extra points made (371), best extra point conversion percentage (.995), most consecutive seasons with at least 100 points (15), most seasons with at least 100 points (15), fastest to 300 successful field goals, fastest to 1,600 points and fastest to 1,700 points. Furthermore, Elam was the first player in NFL history to score at least 200 points against three or more teams (San Diego Chargers: 222, Oakland Raiders: 215, Kansas City Chiefs: 203).

On October 25, 1998, Elam kicked a 63-yard field goal to end the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars, tying Tom Dempsey's 28-year-old record for the longest field goal in NFL history. His cleats from the game are currently on display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. [http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=713 DenverBroncos.com – Official Website Of The Denver Broncos ] ] Elam also kicked a 51-yard field goal in Super Bowl XXXII, second longest in Super Bowl history to Steve Christie's 54-yarder in Super Bowl XXVIII. Elam also scored the 20,000th televised point on "ABC Monday Night Football".

While with the Broncos, Elam reached 7th place on the NFL's all-time points scored list. He reached that position with a game-winning 48-yard field goal on October 21, 2007, giving him 1,712 career points.

During the 2007 regular season, Elam kicked four game-winning, walk-off field goals, becoming the first player to do so since at least 1990. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=271230007 ESPN - Vikings, Broncos both see season come to close - NFL Football Recap ] ]

Atlanta Falcons

On March 21, 2008, the Atlanta Falcons signed Elam to a four-year, $9 million contract with $3.3 million guaranteed. Elam has stated he wishes that he was still a Denver Bronco and says that he will retire as a Bronco.

Personal

Elam has a wife (Tamy - former Broncos cheerleader), two sons (Jason, Jr. and Joshua Matthew) and two daughters (Jordan Noel and Julianna). His family currently resides in Chateau Elan, Georgia.

Book

Elam published his first book in January 2008, titled "Monday Night Jihad". He co-wrote it with Steve Yohn, formerly director of adult ministries at Centennial, Colorado-based Fellowship Community Church. The book is an action-adventure tale about football and an attempt to stop a terrorist plot.

In a statement issued by his publisher, Elam said, "The genesis of "Monday Night Jihad" goes back almost 10 years...My brother kept a journal of all the crazy football stories I'd told him over the years. About a year-and-a-half ago, I began to think what if I was able combine all those quirky stories with a terrorist element to create an action-adventure story. Through this story, I want to bring out why people of strong conviction do what they do."

Jason is also an avid pilot and has a commercial pilots license as well as being a certified flight instructor. He currently owns a De Haviland Beaver which he restored in 2003.

References

External links

* [http://www.mondaynightjihad.com Monday Night Jihad Official Website]
* [http://www.atlantafalcons.com/People/Players/Active/Jason_Elam.aspx Atlanta Falcons bio]
* [http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=713 Denver Broncos bio]