Leo Araguz is a former American football player who played as a punter in the National Football League (NFL) for several teams. He was born on August 13, 1973, in Belen, New Mexico, and attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he played college football.
Araguz began his professional career in 1996 when he signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent. He played for the Raiders for two seasons before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 1998. He spent three seasons with the Seahawks, where he established himself as one of the top punters in the league.
In 2001, Araguz signed with the Houston Texans, who were an expansion team at the time. He played for the Texans for one season before being released. He then signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2002, where he played for two seasons. During his time with the Cowboys, he set a franchise record for the longest punt in team history, with a 90-yard punt against the New York Giants in 2002.
After leaving the Cowboys, Araguz played for several other teams, including the Buffalo Bills, the Oakland Raiders (for a second stint), and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He retired from the NFL in 2005.
Throughout his career, Araguz was known for his strong leg and accuracy as a punter. He was also known for his ability to kick off and his versatility as a holder for field goals and extra points. He finished his career with a career average of 41.3 yards per punt and a long of 90 yards.
In addition to his NFL career, Araguz also played in the XFL, a short-lived professional football league that operated in 2001. He played for the San Francisco Demons and was named the league's top punter.
After retiring from football, Araguz became a high school football coach in Texas. He also worked as a real estate agent and a motivational speaker.
In conclusion, Leo Araguz was a successful punter in the NFL who played for several teams throughout his career. He was known for his strong leg, accuracy, and versatility as a holder. He also played in the XFL and later became a high school football coach, real estate agent, and motivational speaker.
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