First off, how has the UFL been going for you?
Since I was out of college in 2018 my goal was to play in the NFL. I was hesitant at first to play in sub-NFL leagues – I didn’t want to kick in the CFL. But in 2020 my agent presented me with the opportunity to kick in the UFL for the New York team and I took that, and it enabled me to get a job afterwards to kick for the Browns.
Playing in the UFL can help you get an NFL opportunity – it did again when I kicked for Detroit in 2024.
You also own a number of businesses – how important is that and how do you juggle that?
I own four restaurants and invest in real estate in Brownsville. It’s really about survival. When you’re a free agent on the street you’re trying to survive between cuts and rosters. You get big income swings. After the 2018 season where I finished in Pittsburgh with the game against the Bengals where I went three-for-three on field goals, I took some of the funds I had earned from football and invested in my hometown. I invested in some real estate and restaurant businesses and moved back to Brownsville.
Where there guys throughout your career that helped mentor you as you adjusted to the NFL?
Every team I signed with had good kickers. Phil Dawson in Cleveland – I think he could be a Hall of Fame kicker. Chris Boswell in Pittsburgh – one of the best ever to kick a ball. Mike Nugent, Jake Elliott … Cody Parkey in Cleveland taught me how to kick in the wind – how weather impacts things like the need to kick with a low trajectory in bad weather and playing the wind. I was fortunate to have all of that help.
It’s interesting. My first kicking job was at Kansas State and I hyped up that first game. I kicked well but I learned then to focus on the job, not the outcome. From then on I learned to do a good job managing my emotions.
What stands out about that experience you had in Pittsburgh?
I was there for one game against Cincinnati and it was an important game – they needed to win to go to have a chance at the playoffs.
What stands out most about the Steelers is that they were the only team to stay in contact with me throughout my career. Danny Smith will still text me whenever I do something good. Like when I hit the 60-yard field goal my first week this season. For my wedding, the Steelers were the only team to send a wedding gift. They pay attention to details like that – even for a guy who just played one week for them. That shows why they are such a great franchise.
How hard is it to come in mid-week and step in so quickly like that – and be successful?
These are pro long-snappers and punters that hold for you. It’s mostly a timing thing. All my jobs have been fill-in jobs. I was golfing with my dad and granddad on a Wednesday when Kevin Colbert called me and told me he needed me to come in and asked if I was ready to go! I flew in that day from Texas, had one practice where we kicked a couple of field goals then played two days later and went three-for-three on field goals and kicked an extra point.
Chris helped too – he was on the sidelines and helped me with the planting of my feet on that Kentucky Bluegrass and how to kick into the wind there.
It’s amazing how it works. Some teams have learned and are keeping extra kickers on the practice squad now so they don’t have to call a guy off the street mid-week. That allows them to keep a routine going with the snapper and holder.
Any other things stand out about that time there?
I was there when the whole Antonio Brown drama happened. I wasn’t familiar with the situation at all. Then in the locker room Ben stood up and told everyone AB wasn’t playing. I saw Kevin Colbert kick Antonio Brown off the sideline because he wasn’t suited up. Coming in and seeing that all happen in front of me was insane.
I also remember after kicking the go-ahead field goal with about 1:30 left, standing there at the following kickoff during a TV timeout while Renegade was playing and everyone was waving their Terrible Towels. I did a 360 just taking it all in. It was the coolest thing I have ever been a part of. I’ll never forget that moment.
BJ Finney was my college teammate, and the night before the game he and his wife took me out to dinner. After the game he and I were on the field watching the Browns-Ravens game on the scoreboard. BJ’s arms were around my shoulders as we watched Cleveland drive down to score before Baker Mayfield threw the interception. The fans and players all went home disappointed after that.
So what’s next – still enjoying the UFL?
The UFL is going great. I kicked the first 60-yarder of the season – the first with the four-point rule! We’re hot out of the gate but we have to keep it going. Whatever the outcome, it’s one day – one kick at a time.
I’m happy – I’ve had multiple chances to kick in the NFL. Do I think I deserve a chance for more? I think so, but you never know. I’m just happy for the opportunities I’ve had so far.