Dan Bailey is a former American football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for several teams. He began his football career at Oklahoma State University, where he played for four years and set several school records. Bailey went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft but was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent.
Bailey quickly established himself as one of the most accurate kickers in the league, making 91.7% of his field goal attempts in his rookie season. He continued to excel in subsequent seasons, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2015. Bailey was known for his consistency and reliability, rarely missing kicks and often making clutch field goals in important situations.
In 2018, Bailey was released by the Cowboys after a series of missed kicks. He was quickly signed by the Minnesota Vikings, where he played for two seasons. Bailey continued to perform well, making 93.1% of his field goal attempts in his first season with the Vikings. However, he struggled with injuries in his second season and was released by the team in 2020.
Despite his impressive career statistics, Bailey has faced criticism for his lack of leg strength and ability to make long-distance kicks. He has also been criticized for his performance in playoff games, where he has missed several key kicks.
Overall, Dan Bailey had a successful career as a placekicker in the NFL, earning a reputation as one of the most accurate kickers in the league. While he faced some challenges and criticism throughout his career, he remained a reliable and consistent performer on the field.
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