Russell Erxleben was born on January 13,1957 and is an American former professional football player and investor.
20 Facts About Russell Erxleben
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Russell Erxleben was unexpectedly selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 1979 NFL draft as a combination kicker and punter, where he remains the highest drafted punter and the second highest kicker in NFL history.
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Russell Erxleben only spent six years in the NFL and was widely described as one of the Saints' biggest draft busts.
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Russell Erxleben later became a currency investor, and was convicted of securities fraud in 1999.
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Russell Erxleben was raised in the small city of Seguin, Texas, located about 35 miles east of San Antonio, and was a multi-sport athlete in his youth.
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Russell Erxleben was recognized by recruiters for his kicking abilities and exceptional leg strength, having a conventional straight-on kicking style using a two-step approach.
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Russell Erxleben entered the University of Texas as a top prospect in 1975.
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Russell Erxleben quickly earned a reputation as a reliable kicker for the Texas Longhorns.
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Russell Erxleben is the only three-time All-American punter in NCAA history, being a consensus choice in 1976,1977, and 1978.
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Russell Erxleben completed his college career with 44 games played for 39 out of 65 field goals made, 83 out of 90 extra point kicks made, and 165 total punts for 7,740 yards.
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In 1979, Russell Erxleben was drafted in the first round by the New Orleans Saints, listed as both a kicker and a punter.
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Russell Erxleben is still the highest drafted punter of all time, and the second highest drafted kicker behind Charlie Gogolak in 1966.
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The next week in Milwaukee, Russell Erxleben pulled his groin, forcing the Saints to use fullback Tony Galbreath as their emergency placekicker and wide receiver Wes Chandler at punter against the Green Bay Packers.
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Russell Erxleben was New Orleans' union representative during the 1982 NFL players' strike.
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Russell Erxleben played six total seasons in the NFL, most of them as punter.
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Russell Erxleben did not make the Pro Bowl during his NFL career.
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On September 18,2000, Erxleben was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James R Nowlin to 84 months in prison and ordered to pay a total of $28 million in restitution with a $1 million fine.
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On January 24,2013, Russell Erxleben was arrested again on various federal charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme.
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In December 2013 Russell Erxleben pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
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Russell Erxleben was released from custody on 19 July 2019.