Rob Bironas

Known as one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, Rob Bironas made his mark in the NFL during his nine-year career with the Tennessee Titans.

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Bironas attended Trinity High School, where he starred as a multi-sport athlete. He went on to play college football at Auburn University where he was a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award in 1998, which is given to college football’s best kicker. Although the next season he was the preseason pick as First Team All-SEC, new Tiger coach Tommy Tuberville replaced him with the punter. He left Auburn and transferred to Georgia Southern where he helped the Golden Eagles win a national championship in 2000. Despite his collegiate success, Bironas went undrafted in the 2002 NFL Draft.

Determined to reach the professional level, Bironas spent time in the Arena Football League with the Charleston Swamp Foxes, the Carolina Cobras, and the the New York Dragons, honing his skills. Bironas kept working and eventually his hard work paid off as he earned a spot with the Tennessee Titans in 2005 and never looked back.

With the Titans, Bironas quickly established himself as one of the league’s best and most accurate kickers. In 2007, he set an NFL single-game record by kicking eight field goals against the Houston Texans, including the game-winner as time expired. That season, he finished with a league-leading 133 points and earned both Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors. He continued to deliver in clutch moments, making numerous game-winning kicks throughout his career, finishing with a career field goal percentage over 85%. He didn’t miss a extra point from 2006-2013 and only missed two PATs in 318 attempts during his entire NFL career.

Off the field, Bironas was deeply committed to giving back to the community. He founded The Rob Bironas Fund, which supported music education and youth development programs throughout Nashville. His charitable work reflected his passion for making a positive impact on young lives.

Tragically, Rob Bironas passed away in a car accident in 2014 at the age of 36. Though his life was cut short, his legacy endures through his contributions to the Titans, his charitable work, and the lives he impacted both on and off the field.

Photos from Tennessee Titans and Wikimedia Commons. Biography by John T. Broome.