Doug Pelfrey

William Douglas “Doug” Pelfrey, a native of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, was a standout at Scott High School before walking on at the University of Kentucky in 1988. He earned a scholarship and developed into one of the most dependable college kickers of his era, producing several of the most memorable moments in Wildcat history.

Pelfrey’s signature performance came during the 1991 season, when he drilled a 53-yard field goal on the final play to defeat Cincinnati on Homecoming. Fittingly, that dramatic kick came on the same day his future wife, Carla, was honored as Homecoming Queen. One year later, he set single-game school records with five field goals and 18 points by a kicker against Mississippi State.

Over his collegiate career, Pelfrey earned All-SEC honors twice, establishing himself as one of the conference’s most reliable and trusted specialists.

Selected by Cincinnati in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft, Pelfrey went on to spend seven seasons (1993–1999) with the Bengals, serving as the club’s primary placekicker throughout the decade. Playing his home games at Riverfront Stadium, he handled the difficult weather and pressure of the AFC Central with consistency and composure. Pelfrey finished his Bengals career with 153 field goals and 660 points, ranking among the franchise’s most productive scorers of his era. At the end of the 1996 season, Pelfrey was the most accurate kicker in NFL history.

One of the defining moments of his professional career came on Christmas Eve 1994, when Pelfrey delivered a dramatic 54-yard game-winning field goal in the final seconds to defeat the Houston Oilers in one of the most memorable finishes in Bengals’ history.

Known for his preparation and calm under pressure, he earned the respect of teammates and coaches during a challenging period for the franchise.

Equally important to Pelfrey was his commitment to helping those in need off the field. During his Bengals tenure, he founded “Kicks for Kids”, a charitable initiative dedicated to providing educational and enrichment opportunities for at-risk children in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. His leadership and community impact were recognized with the NFL’s Byron “Whizzer” White Award, the league’s highest honor for player community service.

Doug Pelfrey’s career was defined by excellence on the field, integrity in the classroom and locker room, and a lasting commitment to giving back to the community.

Player images from Cincinnati Bengals. Biography by Chris Aldridge.