Neil Rackers, a native of St. Louis, MO retired after a successful 12-year career as an all-pro NFL placekicker. He moved back to St. Louis with his wife and children after his final training camp in 2011. He has since started broadcasting as an NFL insider on Rams game day on ESPN 101.1 and discovered his passion for coaching. He coaches football and baseball at John Burroughs School and is looking forward to passing on his knowledge of all things kicking with Coach Brader. Neil believes in coaching with a positive attitude and that nothing can replace hard work. Kicking is more than physical, and he understands the mental side because he has been there.
 

Neil began placekicking during his sophomore year at Aquinas-Mercy High School. During his first game, he hit 2 field goals and was approached by former NFL kicker Pat Leahy. Pat offered to work with Neil to improve his form. That offer from Pat and Neil’s training with him is what eventually lead Neil to walk-on at the University of Illinois, against the advice of everyone who told him to accept the soccer scholarships instead.
 

After being red-shirted his freshman year, Neil continued to train incredibly hard. He worked with the strength coaches and his kicking coaches to gain 40 lbs. of muscle and improve his kicking even more. By his second year at Illinois, he had won the kicking job and a full scholarship.
 

After putting up good numbers at Illinois, NFL scouts started calling. Neil signed with RSR Sports Management and was drafted in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.
 

NFL Career Highlights:

• 2005 NFL AP All-Pro Kicker

• 2005 NFL Pro Bowl

• 2009 Super Bowl

• 2008, 2010 NFL Pro Bowl Alternate

• NFL Record (tied) for most 50+ yard FG in a game (3)

• NFL Record for most tackles by a placekicker all-time (46)

• One of 3 kickers to hold FG% record for 2 different teams (Cardinals, Texans)

• Led the NFL in FG% 2005, 2009

• 264 career FG’s and 1164 career points

• Voted special teams captain by his teammates (Cardinals, Texans)

• Holds several team records for both Cardinals and Texans including points in a season, FG in a season, FG % and consecutive FG made.