John Carney is a former American football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over two decades. He began his professional career in 1987 as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals but was released before the start of the regular season. He then played for several teams in the United States Football League (USFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL) before finally making his NFL debut in 1988 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Carney played for the Buccaneers for three seasons before being traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1990. He spent nine seasons with the Chargers, during which he became the team's all-time leading scorer and earned two Pro Bowl selections. He also played for the New Orleans Saints, the Kansas City Chiefs, the New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns before retiring in 2010.
Throughout his career, Carney was known for his accuracy and consistency as a kicker. He finished his career with a field goal percentage of 82.4%, which ranks him among the top 20 kickers in NFL history. He also made 478 of his 479 extra point attempts, giving him a career extra point percentage of 99.8%.
In addition to his success on the field, Carney was also known for his longevity and dedication to his craft. He played in 299 regular season games, which ranks him fourth all-time among kickers, and he continued to play at a high level well into his 40s. He also worked tirelessly to improve his technique and mental preparation, and he was widely respected by his teammates and coaches for his work ethic and professionalism.
After retiring from the NFL, Carney continued to work in the sport as a kicking consultant and coach. He has worked with several NFL teams, including the New Orleans Saints, and has helped to develop some of the league's top kickers. He has also been involved in charitable work, including the creation of the John Carney Foundation, which supports children's charities in the San Diego area.
Overall, John Carney's football career was marked by his accuracy, consistency, and longevity as a kicker. He was a respected and admired figure in the sport, and his contributions to the game will be remembered for years to come.
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