New York Jets Player of the Day: K Pat Leahy

In this series, we’ll be highlighting a different player from the storied past of the New York Jets. Today, we take a look at kicker Pat Leahy.

Sure, kickers get a bad rap. Many fans give them way too much blame when things go bad, and rarely enough credit when they’re consistently getting the job done. But if you want a reminder of how valuable a reliable kicker can be, look no further than New York Jets legend, Pat Leahy.

Perhaps the most true New York Jets player in history, no player has ever appeared in more games for the Gang Green than Leahy, who suited up 250 times. Leahy joined the Jets in 1974, and spent the entirety of his 17-year NFL career with the team.

The all-time leading scorer in franchise history, Leahy’s 1,470 career points are more than double the next player on the team’s all-time list (Nick Folk, 729). The closest player to Leahy on the team’s all-time games played list is guard Randy Rasmussen, who appeared in 43 fewer games. Only 43 players in NFL history have appeared in more total games than Leahy.

Leahy finished his long NFL career with a field goal percentage of 71.4, while converting 95.5 percent of his extra point attempts. He currently ranks 25th in NFL history in points scored.

He made his only appearance on the NFL’s All-Pro Team as a first-team selection in 1978.

A undrafted free agent out of St. Louis, Leahy was a soccer star in high school and college. He led St. Louis to four NCAA finals, winning three national titles. He was a three-time All-American, and was inducted into both the Billiken Hall of Fame and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

What’s your favorite Pat Leahy memory? Share your story in the comment section!