Mike Scifres is a former American football punter who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on October 8, 1980, in Long Beach, California, and attended Western High School in Anaheim. Scifres played college football at Western Illinois University, where he was a standout punter for the Leathernecks.
Scifres was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the league's top punters, earning a reputation for his strong leg and accuracy. Scifres spent his entire NFL career with the Chargers, playing in 168 regular-season games and 11 playoff games.
During his time with the Chargers, Scifres was known for his ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory. He led the NFL in punts inside the 20-yard line in 2004, 2005, and 2007, and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2011. Scifres also set a Super Bowl record in 2009, when he punted the ball 5 times for an average of 51.0 yards per punt.
Scifres was a key contributor to the Chargers' success during his tenure with the team. He helped the Chargers reach the playoffs five times, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game in 2007. Scifres was also a fan favorite in San Diego, known for his work in the community and his willingness to sign autographs and interact with fans.
Injuries began to take a toll on Scifres in the later years of his career. He suffered a broken clavicle in 2014, which caused him to miss the final five games of the season. Scifres was released by the Chargers in 2016, and he signed with the New Orleans Saints later that year. However, he was released by the Saints before the start of the regular season and ultimately decided to retire from football.
Overall, Mike Scifres had a successful NFL career as one of the league's top punters. He was a reliable and consistent performer for the Chargers, and his contributions to the team were instrumental in their success during the 2000s. Scifres will be remembered as one of the best punters in Chargers history and a beloved member of the San Diego community.
🏈