Johnny Hekker is a former American football punter who played in the National Football League (NFL) for several years. He was born on February 8, 1990, in Seattle, Washington, and attended Bothell High School, where he played football as a quarterback and punter.
After high school, Hekker attended Oregon State University, where he continued to play football as a punter. He was a four-year starter for the Beavers and was named to the All-Pac-12 team twice.
In 2012, Hekker entered the NFL draft and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the St. Louis Rams (now the Los Angeles Rams). He quickly established himself as one of the best punters in the league, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. He was also named a First-Team All-Pro in 2013, 2015, and 2016.
Hekker's success as a punter was due in part to his ability to execute trick plays and fake punts. He was known for his accuracy and arm strength, and he completed several passes during his career, including a 28-yard touchdown pass in a game against the Seattle Seahawks in 2016.
In addition to his punting duties, Hekker also served as the Rams' holder for field goals and extra points. He was widely regarded as one of the best holders in the league, and his chemistry with kicker Greg Zuerlein was a key factor in the Rams' success on special teams.
Hekker's career with the Rams came to an end in March 2021, when he was released by the team after nine seasons. He finished his career with the Rams as the franchise leader in punts, punt yards, and net punting average.
In April 2021, Hekker signed a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos, where he will continue his career as a punter.
Overall, Johnny Hekker's football career was marked by his excellence as a punter and his ability to execute trick plays and fake punts. He was widely regarded as one of the best punters in the league during his time with the Rams, and his success on special teams was a key factor in the team's success.
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