1. Thomas James Morstead was born on March 8,1986 and is an American professional football punter for the New York Jets of the National Football League.
32 Facts About Thomas Morstead
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Thomas Morstead played college football for the SMU Mustangs and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft.
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Thomas Morstead was born in Houston, Texas, and was raised in a nearby suburb of Pearland, Texas.
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Thomas Morstead attended Pearland High School and won varsity letters in football and basketball.
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In football, Thomas Morstead received second-team All-District honors and was named the Brazoria County Special Teams MVP as a senior.
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Thomas Morstead was a member of the National Honor Society, adding Academic All-State honors.
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Thomas Morstead enrolled at Southern Methodist in 2004, turning down scholarship offers from Texas Christian, Rice, Texas and Missouri, but spent the season as a redshirt.
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Thomas Morstead was a member of the Conference USA's Academic Honor Roll in 2005, but never appeared in a game.
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Thomas Morstead took over place-kicking and punting chores in 2006, earning All-Conference USA third-team honors.
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Thomas Morstead led Conference USA with an average of 43.82 yards on 50 attempts, the best average by an SMU punter since Craig James averaged 44.9 yards in 1982.
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Thomas Morstead made 13 of 18 field goals and 34 of 35 extra points for a total of 73 points.
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Thomas Morstead scored 82 points and set the league single-season record by making all 43 extra point attempts, as he connected on 13 of 20 field goals.
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Thomas Morstead made 11 of 15 field goals, 29 of 30 extra points, and amassed 62 points.
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Thomas Morstead was selected in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft with the 164th overall selection by the New Orleans Saints.
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Thomas Morstead was the second punter chosen in 2009, after Kevin Huber.
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Thomas Morstead beat out Glenn Pakulak for the Saints' punting job in 2009.
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Thomas Morstead played a role in the Saints' victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV by executing an onside kick during the second half kickoff.
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Thomas Morstead holds the record for the most touchbacks in a single season, with 68 in 2011.
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Thomas Morstead finished the 2011 season with 46 punts for 2,224 yards and a 48.35 average.
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Thomas Morstead went on to have an outstanding season, leading the league in net punting yardage, and was elected to the Pro Bowl.
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Thomas Morstead had 74 punts for 3,707 yards and a 50.09 average in the 2012 season.
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Thomas Morstead finished the 2014 season with 58 punts for 2,690 yards and a 46.38 average.
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Nevertheless, Thomas Morstead was visibly hurt as he punted throughout the game.
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However, Thomas Morstead was the first player to return to the field for the extra point attempt.
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Vikings' fans were impressed by the toughness and sportsmanship Thomas Morstead displayed in the eventual defeat, so a Vikings-dedicated Reddit group donated more than $140,000 to his charity in less than 24 hours, and Thomas Morstead presented the donations to the Children's Hospital of Minnesota.
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On March 16,2018, Thomas Morstead signed a five-year contract extension with the Saints.
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Thomas Morstead finished the 2019 season with 60 punts for 2,770 yards and a 46.17 average.
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On September 14,2021, Thomas Morstead signed with the New York Jets to fill in for the injured Braden Mann.
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On November 23,2021, Thomas Morstead signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
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Thomas Morstead finished the 2022 season with 61 punts for 2,828 yards and a 46.36 average.
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Thomas Morstead was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.
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Thomas Morstead finished the 2023 season with a 48.8 average and led the league in punts with 99 and punting yards with 4,831.