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Chandler Catanzaro didn’t dream of growing up to become an NFL kicker. Growing up in Greenville, North Carolina, he originally wanted to fly like his hero Michael Jordan. Catanzaro played four sports in high school, but ended up kicking his way to Clemson and then the NFL. Now Catanzaro is back in Carolina, and could get a chance to send his team to Super Bowl 50.
Here’s what you need to know about the one they call Cat Man:
1. He Was a Four-Sport High School Athlete Who Walked on at Clemson
As a kid, Catanzaro’s first love was soccer. Then came basketball, baseball and football. Catanzaro dreamed of playing at North Carolina, but those dreams faded as his basketball career unfolded. One day Catanzaro experimented kicking field goals, and wound up as his high school’s kicker for the final two seasons. Catanzaro was not offered any big-time scholarships, and he joined the team as a “preferred walk-on.”
Catanzaro’s college career started smoothly, but a trip to Auburn would mark his first major misstep. A miss in overtime gave the ball back to Cam Newton, who beat Clemson and everyone else on his way to a national title.
2. He Learned Important Lessons From One of Football’s Greatest Kickers
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After that miss and bumpy freshman season, Catanzaro was down. He went home to North Carolina, where he and his father searched for answers to improve his game. The answer just happened to be closer than he thought.
About an hour away from Clemson, former NFL kicker Morten Andersen was giving private lessons. Catanzaro signed up for tutelage under the kicking master, who score 2,544 points in the NFL over 26 seasons.
Catanzaro, who had 50 touchbacks on kickoff this season, couldn’t even reach the endzone when he started working under Andersen. In addition to his technique, Andersen also helped him refine the mental aspect of his game.
“I took pretty much everything he gave me and I’ve used it ever since,” Catanzaro said last year. “He’s been unbelievable. He’s such a great guy and he’s been such a great mentor … . I talk to him on a weekly basis.”
3. He Took Jay Feeley’s Job in Arizona
After finishing college as Clemson’s all-time leading scorer, Catanzaro still went underrated. He briefly pondered medical school when the Cardinals called, and beat out Jay Feeley in camp to earn the starting job.
Catanzaro has had small success in the NFL, but his failures have not gone unnoticed. He missed five extra points this season, the third-most among kickers this season. When asked about his struggles, Bruce Arians had a theory on hand.
“I think he goes out there a little bit too early sometimes,” Arians said. “It messes up his routine a little bit, so we’ll investigate that because it’s not talent. It’s just something gets into his head.”
It could just be a numbers game. Cat Man kicked 58 extra points this season, just one short of the NFL’s highest mark.
4. Catanzaro Set the NFL Record For FG Made to Start a Rookie Season
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After a solid preseason, Catanzaro had a dream start for an rookie kicker. Not only did he make his first career attempt– a 22 yarder at home against the Chargers- he didn’t miss a kick until Week Nine. Catanzaro started his NFL career by setting the rookie record with 17 consecutive field goals, and finished 29-33 on the year.
Not only has Catanzaro hit regularly, he can hit when it matters. Earlier this season, Catanzaro hit a 32-yard field goal at the buzzer to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals. After the make, Catanzaro did what any game-winning kicker would do- he dabbed. It’ll be interesting to see if that move makes an appearance on Sunday, with Cam Newton once again on the opposite sideline.
5. His Sister is Not Kacy Catanzaro of Ninja Warrior Fame
Sorry to disappoint. Chandler is not the sister of Kacy Catanzaro, the only woman to ever complete the qualifying course of American Ninja Warrior. Kacy is a native of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and is in no way related to the Cat Man. But with a nickname like The Mighty Kacy, at least they both have sweet nicknames.
While Kacy was eliminated from the individual competition this year, she is still competing on Team Ninja Warrior, which can be seen on the Esquire Network. As for Chandler, he does actually have a sister, and you can follow her on Twitter here.
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