Quick Facts
- Date: January 28, 1984
- Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Memphis connection: University of Memphis football (placekicker) and baseball, 2002–2005; inducted into the UofM M Club Hall of Fame in 2016
- NFL draft: 4th round (118th overall) by the New England Patriots, 2006
- Notable: Patriots’ all‑time leading scorer (1,775 points); three‑time Super Bowl champion; holder of the NFL record for most consecutive extra points made (523)
Main Story
Stephen Gostkowski’s birthday matters in the Bluff City because his path from Tiger walk‑on to NFL record‑setter is a Memphis story through and through. Enrolling at the University of Memphis on a baseball scholarship, he joined the football team and, from 2002–2005, became one of the program’s all‑time great specialists. He finished his college career with 70 field goals and 159 extra points for 369 points—figures that stood as school records at the time—earning First‑Team All‑Conference USA honors in 2004 and 2005 and C‑USA Special Teams Player of the Year in 2005.
Selected by New England in the 2006 NFL Draft, Gostkowski replaced Adam Vinatieri and went on to become the Patriots’ franchise leader in points with 1,775. He earned four Pro Bowl selections, helped win three Super Bowls, and set the NFL mark for most consecutive extra points made (523). Those achievements, rooted in his Memphis development, exemplify how Tiger alumni have impacted the game far beyond the 901.
Legacy
Gostkowski’s career reinforced Memphis’ reputation as a place where special teams excellence is forged, adding to the city’s sports heritage alongside the cultural legacy of Beale Street and the wider civic pride of the Bluff City. His 2016 induction into the University of Memphis M Club Hall of Fame and his continued engagement with the program—including returning in 2023 to participate in a pregame tradition—keep his ties to Memphis strong. On his birthday, Memphis fans celebrate not just an NFL star, but a Tiger whose precision and poise reflect the grit and community spirit that define Memphis history.
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