Graham Gano is among the top ten placekickers in the National Football League (NFL) where he plays for the Carolina Panthers. Though he made his way into the NFL as an undrafted player, he has gone on to play for teams that many drafted players only wish to play for.

He has earned himself several honors and awards since he started professional football in 2009. He was named the first-team All-American, second-team All-American as well as All-ACC First Team honors. The placekicker holds the record of the longest field goal at 63 yards in 2018.

Who Is Graham Gano? 

The 9th day of April 1987 saw the birth of Graham Gano in Arbroath, Scotland, being born in Scotland. His American father, Mark Gano worked as the US Navy Master Chief Petty Officer in Scotland at the time of his birth. He is said to have 5 siblings named Allen Marnie, Elaine Marnie, Stewart Marnie, Daniel Gano, and Joshua Gano.

Graham was raised in Cantonment, Florida near Pensacola where he had his high school education at J.M Tate High School. He was never a dull student as he participated and excelled in football and track events. He was the All-American First Team selection by USA Today and he also got ranked as the Nation’s third kicker by Rivals.com.

In the track & field events, his exploits earned him three state titles in 100, 200 and 400 meters dash at the 2005 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) 3A District 1 competitions, finishing his high school highly spirited. He would later enroll in the Florida State University for his college education.

During his senior year, he was spectacular; he was the highest scoring kicker in America and fourth overall in the FBS and would be named first-team All-American by Rivals.com, Scout.com, and CBS Sports. Following his wonderful kicking performances against NC State, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Maryland, he was named the ACC Specialist of the Week for the fourth time.

In 2008, Graham converted over 90% of his field goals in a season, making him the only kicker in FSU history to attain such a feat. In his college career, he won the Lou Groza Award in 2008 as the nation’s top kicker. He also clinched the MVP of the 2008 Champs Sports Bowl, alongside other meritorious recognition.

NFL Career

Graham Gano joined the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent after the 2009 NFL Draft. He was considered being surplus to requirements after the Team named Steve Hauschka as their kicker, letting Graham go in September before Las Vegas Locomotives saw potentials in him and signed him.

He converted a 32-yard field goal that became the UFL record long field goal of 53 yards and then. He piloted the team to their first UFL Championship title and he ended the season leading the league in scoring and field goals made.

He joined the Washington Redskins in December of 2009 as a replacement to Shaun Suisham who got retired and continued with his exploits in the team unto the next season. He flopped in the first pre-season game and he was subsequently kept on the final roster before the new season where he kicked a 59-yard field goal which broke the franchise of 57 yards.

Graham rounded off the season with 31 of 41 field goal attempts with five misses out of 10 blocked kicks. In 2012, after Redskins brought in the veteran Billy Cundiff, Graham decided to leave. He joined Carolina Panthers in November of 2012 and would play in the last six games of the season in which he converted nine out of the eleven field goal attempts.

He signed a contract extension with the Panthers on February 28, 2014, for four years worth $12.4 million. He continued with his fine form in 2015 and was named NFC Special Teams Player of the month in November and would finish the 2015 season with 146 points, superseding John Kasay’s record of 145 held with the team since 1996.

In 2017, Graham scored all the team’s points in their remarkable 9-3 triumph against Buffalo Bills and would finish the season with 121 points which earned him a place at the Pro Bowl. In October 2018, he kicked a 63-yard field game-winning field goal in a 33-31 victory over the New York Giants, earning him the NFC Special Team Player of the week.

Salary

Though Graham Gano made his way into the NFL as an undrafted player, but he has proven his worth since his tentative entry, he has been to teams that a whole lot of footballers can only wish to play for, he has also penned down contracts worth millions in the course of his career, the recent one being his $17 million four year contract extension with the Panthers. Graham’s salary in 2018 is $1,850,000. He is believed to worth $6 million.

Details of his Wife and Kids

Other than giving his best for his team, Graham as a wonderful husband and father does his best to keep a happy family. He is married to his beautiful wife named Brittany Osman-Gano, born August 1, 1986. She hails from San Diego, California and they both met in college at Florida State University. Brittany majored in Criminology in college and they had a smooth and lovely relationship before they decided to go to tie the knot at the altar.

The couples already have three children; their first son, named Bryson Gano was born in 2011, the second son was born in 2014,  and their baby third baby was born in April of 2017.

Height and Weight

Graham Gano is above 6 feet and not many players in NFL league commands that height. Apart from his height, he also has an amazing physique of an athlete; his long legs have been an added advantage to the baller. The Panther’s Placekicker currently commands a height of 6 ft 2 (1.88 m) and weighs 89 kg.