Martín Gramática, one of first Argentinians in the NFL
Long-time Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Martín Gramática grew up dreaming of playing like Diego Maradona, legendary Argentinian soccer player.
Even after moving with his family to Florida from Buenos Aires when he was nine years old, the Super Bowl winning kicker did not even give football a thought.
In fact, Gramática didn’t play American football until his last year in La Belle High School in Florida. However, ever since, his life as well as the life of his brother, Guillermo Gramática (ex-kicker of Arizona Cardinals), changed completely, and so did the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Before entering the NFL Draft, in 1999 Gramática played at Kansas State for four years. During his four college seasons he made 54 out of 70 field goals and 187 of 192 point-after-touchdown attempts, gaining a school record of 349 points in four seasons. He also set the single-season school record with 135 points and the longest field goal kicked from 65 yards. He earned the Lou Groza award in 1997 as the best placekicker in college football.
He was picked in the third round of the 1999 draft by the Buccaneers where he stayed for five seasons. In Tampa Bay’s 2002 48-21 Super Bowl win over the Oakland Raiders, Gramática scored 12 points kicking two field goals and six PATs. He was named to the NFL Pro Bowl team in 2001.
The 5’8″, 170 lb kicker went on to play for six other teams before retiring in 2009.
Nowadays, Gramática dedicates his life to his family, his successful construction company and many charity events in his current home of Tampa, Florida.
Professional career:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1999-2003)
- Indianapolis Colts (2004)
- New England Patriots (2006)
- Indianapolis Colts (2006)
- Dallas Cowboys (2006-2007)
- New Orleans Saints (2007-2008)
Key Career Stats
Field goals made :155
Field goal attempts: 203
Career field goal accuracy: 76.4 %
Check out this 55 yard field goal while Gramática was playing for the New Orleans Saints
Can’t-Miss NFL Plays: Gramática´s 55 yds FG (video)
