In the sea of muscle and testosterone that is a NFL locker room sits and incongruous-looking white man of average height and build, who in most cases could leave the stadium without being noticed by fans. A field goal kicker is the loneliest man in the American football league. When he does his job and kicks the ball between the posts from 40 yards to win a game newspapers report his name and only little more. The field goal kicker sits on the sideline for most of the game before being put in often to win or lose the game. People for the most part only talk about him if he misses. Unlike other players in the NFL who thrive on adrenalin and confidence a field goal kicker must never let himself get carried away. Hartley the New Orleans Saints field goal kicker (super bowl winner last year) was the toast of New Orleans but the sparkle did not last long after three games this year Hartley was replaced after missing a crucial kick against Atlanta. Hartley won back his place at the Saints but has learnt to be philosophical about the fate of the kicker. Kickers can never be to confident.
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