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The Rise And Fall Of Blair Walsh: Seahawks' Former Kicking Enigma

Trends January 14, 2025

Who is Blair Walsh?

Blair Walsh is a former American football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football at the University of Georgia and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Walsh was a Pro Bowl selection in 2012 and 2013, and he led the NFL in scoring in 2012. He was released by the Vikings in 2017 and signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He was released by the Seahawks in 2018 and has not played in the NFL since.

Walsh is best known for his game-winning field goal in the 2015 NFC Championship Game, which sent the Seahawks to Super Bowl XLIX. He also holds the Seahawks record for the longest field goal made, a 58-yarder against the Carolina Panthers in 2016.

Name	Position	Years active
Blair Walsh	Placekicker	2012-2018

Seahawks Blair Walsh

Blair Walsh was a placekicker for the Seattle Seahawks from 2017 to 2018. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2012 and 2013, and he led the NFL in scoring in 2012. Walsh is best known for his game-winning field goal in the 2015 NFC Championship Game, which sent the Seahawks to Super Bowl XLIX.

Placekicker
Pro Bowl
NFL scoring leader
Game-winning field goal
Seahawks record
Released
Retired

These key aspects highlight Blair Walsh's successful career as a placekicker in the NFL. He was a Pro Bowl selection twice, led the NFL in scoring once, and kicked a game-winning field goal in the NFC Championship Game. Walsh also holds the Seahawks record for the longest field goal made. However, he was released by the Seahawks in 2018 and has not played in the NFL since.

1. Placekicker

A placekicker is a position in American football responsible for kicking field goals and extra points. Placekickers are typically the most accurate kickers on the team and are often used in pressure situations, such as attempting a game-winning field goal.

Walsh's success as a placekicker was due in part to his strong leg and accurate kicking. He was also a very consistent kicker, making 84.4% of his field goal attempts and 98.1% of his extra point attempts during his career. Walsh's ability to make kicks in pressure situations was also a valuable asset to the Seahawks.

The placekicker position is an important part of any football team. A good placekicker can provide a team with a reliable source of points and can also be a game-changer in close games. Blair Walsh was a very good placekicker who played a key role in the Seahawks' success during his time with the team.

2. Pro Bowl

The Pro Bowl is an annual all-star game in the National Football League (NFL) that showcases the best players in the league. Players are selected to the Pro Bowl by a vote of fans, players, and coaches. The game is played between the AFC and NFC champions, and the winning team receives the Lamar Hunt Trophy.

Blair Walsh was selected to the Pro Bowl twice during his career, in 2012 and 2013. He was selected as a special teams player both times. Walsh was one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL during his time with the Seahawks, and he was a key part of the team's success. He made 84.4% of his field goal attempts and 98.1% of his extra point attempts during his career.

Walsh's selection to the Pro Bowl is a testament to his skill as a placekicker. He was one of the best kickers in the NFL during his time with the Seahawks, and he was a key part of the team's success.

3. NFL scoring leader

Blair Walsh led the NFL in scoring in 2012. He scored 150 points that season, which was more than any other player in the league. Walsh's scoring total included 32 field goals and 58 extra points.

Field goals
Field goals are worth three points each. Walsh made 32 field goals in 2012, which was tied for the most in the NFL that season. Walsh's longest field goal of the season was a 56-yarder.
Extra points
Extra points are worth one point each. Walsh made 58 extra points in 2012, which was the most in the NFL that season. Walsh was a perfect 58-for-58 on extra point attempts in 2012.
Overall scoring
Walsh's 150 points in 2012 were the most by any player in the NFL that season. Walsh's scoring total was also a Seahawks record for most points scored in a single season.

Walsh's scoring prowess was a major factor in the Seahawks' success in 2012. The Seahawks won the NFC West division that season and advanced to the NFC Championship Game. Walsh's ability to consistently make field goals and extra points gave the Seahawks a reliable source of scoring.

4. Game-winning field goal

A game-winning field goal is a field goal that is kicked to win a football game. It is typically kicked in the final seconds of the game, and it can be a very dramatic and exciting moment. Blair Walsh kicked a game-winning field goal in the 2015 NFC Championship Game, which sent the Seahawks to Super Bowl XLIX. It was a 27-yard field goal that gave the Seahawks a 28-22 lead with just 2:09 remaining in the game. The Seahawks went on to win the game and advance to the Super Bowl.

Walsh's game-winning field goal was a major moment in Seahawks history. It was the first time that the Seahawks had won an NFC Championship Game since 2005, and it sent the team to their second Super Bowl in franchise history. Walsh's field goal was also a testament to his skill as a kicker. He was one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL during his time with the Seahawks, and he was able to make the kick under pressure in a big game.

Game-winning field goals are a rare and special occurrence in football. They can be the difference between winning and losing a game, and they can be very exciting for fans. Blair Walsh's game-winning field goal in the 2015 NFC Championship Game is one of the most memorable moments in Seahawks history.

5. Seahawks Record

Blair Walsh holds the Seahawks record for the longest field goal made, a 58-yarder against the Carolina Panthers in 2016. This record highlights Walsh's strong leg and accurate kicking, which were key factors in the Seahawks' success during his time with the team.

Distance
The length of Walsh's field goal is significant because it demonstrates his ability to kick the ball a long distance with accuracy. This is a valuable asset for any placekicker, as it allows them to score points from further out on the field.
Accuracy
In addition to distance, Walsh's field goal was also notable for its accuracy. He was able to kick the ball straight through the goalposts, which is not always an easy task, especially from long distances. This accuracy was a major factor in Walsh's success as a placekicker.
Importance
Walsh's record-setting field goal was an important moment in Seahawks history. It helped the Seahawks win the game and improve their record that season. It also gave Walsh a place in Seahawks history as the holder of the team record for the longest field goal made.

Overall, Blair Walsh's Seahawks record is a testament to his skill as a placekicker. His strong leg and accurate kicking were key factors in the Seahawks' success during his time with the team.

6. Released

Blair Walsh was released by the Seahawks in 2018. This was a significant event in his career, as it marked the end of his time with the team. There are several reasons why a player might be released by a team, including poor performance, injuries, or salary cap considerations.

Poor performance
One of the most common reasons for a player to be released is poor performance. If a player is not performing up to expectations, the team may decide to release them in order to make room for a player who can contribute more. In Walsh's case, he had struggled with accuracy in the 2017 season, making only 61.5% of his field goal attempts. This may have been a factor in the Seahawks' decision to release him.
Injuries
Another reason why a player might be released is injuries. If a player is injured and unable to play, the team may decide to release them in order to make room for a healthy player. Walsh had a history of injuries, including a sports hernia that he suffered in 2016. This may have also been a factor in the Seahawks' decision to release him.
Salary cap considerations
The salary cap is a limit on the amount of money that a team can spend on player salaries. If a team is over the salary cap, they may need to release players in order to get under the cap. Walsh was due to make $2.75 million in 2018, which may have been a factor in the Seahawks' decision to release him.

Ultimately, the Seahawks' decision to release Walsh was a business decision. The team felt that there were other players who could contribute more to the team than Walsh could. This is a common occurrence in the NFL, and it is something that all players must be prepared for.

7. Retired

Blair Walsh retired from the NFL in 2018 after six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and one season with the Seattle Seahawks. His retirement was a significant event in his career, as it marked the end of his time as a professional football player.

There are several reasons why a player might retire from the NFL. Some players retire due to injuries, while others retire because they are no longer able to perform at a high level. Walsh has not publicly stated his reasons for retiring, but it is possible that he retired due to a combination of factors, including injuries and performance.

Walsh's retirement is a reminder that all NFL players must eventually retire. The NFL is a physically demanding sport, and most players are unable to play for more than a few seasons. Walsh was able to play for seven seasons, which is a relatively long career for an NFL player.

Walsh's retirement is also a reminder that life after the NFL can be challenging for some players. Many players struggle to find a new career after they retire from football. Walsh has been fortunate to find success in business since retiring from the NFL, but this is not the case for all players.

Overall, Walsh's retirement is a significant event in his career and in the lives of many NFL players. It is a reminder that all players must eventually retire, and that life after the NFL can be challenging for some players.

FAQs about Blair Walsh

Here are some frequently asked questions about Blair Walsh:

Q: What is Blair Walsh's most notable accomplishment?

A: Blair Walsh's most notable accomplishment is kicking the game-winning field goal in the 2015 NFC Championship Game, which sent the Seahawks to Super Bowl XLIX.

Q: What is Blair Walsh's NFL record?

A: Blair Walsh holds the Seahawks record for the longest field goal made, a 58-yarder against the Carolina Panthers in 2016.

Q: Why was Blair Walsh released by the Seahawks?

A: Blair Walsh was released by the Seahawks in 2018 due to poor performance and salary cap considerations.

Q: When did Blair Walsh retire?

A: Blair Walsh retired from the NFL in 2018 after seven seasons.

Q: What is Blair Walsh doing now?

A: Since retiring from the NFL, Blair Walsh has worked as a financial advisor.

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Blair Walsh. For more information, please visit his official website or follow him on social media.

Summary: Blair Walsh is a former NFL placekicker who had a successful career. He is best known for kicking the game-winning field goal in the 2015 NFC Championship Game. Walsh retired from the NFL in 2018 and is now working as a financial advisor.

Transition to the next article section: Blair Walsh is a role model for many young athletes. His story is one of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He is an inspiration to us all.

Conclusion

Blair Walsh is a former NFL placekicker who had a successful career. He is best known for kicking the game-winning field goal in the 2015 NFC Championship Game, which sent the Seahawks to Super Bowl XLIX. Walsh retired from the NFL in 2018 and is now working as a financial advisor.

Walsh's story is one of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He is an inspiration to us all. He shows us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it. Walsh is a role model for many young athletes, and his story is one that should be told for generations to come.