28 Facts About Shane Lechler

Edward Shane Lechler is an American former professional football player who played as a punter for 18 seasons in the National Football League.

Shane Lechler led the league in punting average five times and was the NFL's all-time leader in career punting average for nearly two decades.

Shane Lechler was one of two punters named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, along with Hall of Famer Ray Guy.

Shane Lechler attended East Bernard High School in East Bernard, Texas, and was a standout in football, basketball, golf, and baseball.

When injuries depleted the depth chart, Shane Lechler served as the backup quarterback for the 1998 Big 12 championship game.

At one point in the game, the Aggies' last healthy quarterback, Branndon Stewart, appeared shaken and a nervous-looking Shane Lechler threw warmup passes on the sideline.

Shane Lechler was named to The Sporting News All-America team as a junior in 1998, and was an Associated Press first team All-American honors as a senior in 1999, a year in which his 46.5 yards per punt is second in the record books only to his own sophomore record of 47.0.

Shane Lechler is the NCAA record holder for career punt average with a mark of 44.7 yards per punt.

Shane Lechler had only one punt blocked, against Ohio State in the 1999 Sugar Bowl.

Shane Lechler was selected in the fifth round with the 142nd overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft.

Shane Lechler finished his rookie season with 65 punts for 2,984 yards for a 45.91 average.

Shane Lechler was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and earned First Team All-Pro honors.

Shane Lechler finished his second professional season with 73 punts for 3,375 yards for a 46.23 average.

Shane Lechler recorded a 73-yard punt, which was the longest by any punter in the NFL for the 2003 season.

Shane Lechler was named as a First Team All-Pro for the second time.

Shane Lechler earned a second Pro Bowl nomination and was named as a First Team All-Pro for the third time.

On New Year's Eve against the New York Giants, Shane Lechler had a season-high nine punts for a season-high 421 yards for a 46.78 average.

On February 18,2009, Shane Lechler signed a four-year, $12 million contract, making him the highest-paid punter in NFL history.

Shane Lechler finished the game with five punts for 273 yards.

On March 23,2013, Shane Lechler signed a three-year deal worth $5.5 million with a $1 million signing bonus with the Houston Texans.

Shane Lechler finished the 2015 season with 95 punts for 4,497 yards for a 47.34 average.

On March 11,2016, Shane Lechler signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Texans.

On March 8,2017, Shane Lechler signed a one-year contract extension with the Texans.

On March 8,2018, Shane Lechler signed a one-year contract for $2 million to remain with the Texans.

Shane Lechler was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

Shane Lechler held the NFL record in career average yards per punt for two decades starting in 2003, including his 47.6-yard average at retirement, and was not beaten until 2023 by Michael Dickson and AJ Cole.

Shane Lechler has the five best single-season punting averages in Raiders history, including a career-best 51.1 in 2009, the third-highest single-season average in league history.

Shane Lechler has said that he is good friends with former teammate and All-Pro defensive end JJ Watt.