Veteran John Kasay To Retire As A Carolina Panther Today

Jan 14, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers (center) is congratulated by New Orleans Saints kicker John Kasay (right) after the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park. San Francisco defeated New Orleans 36-32. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

With the 98th pick of the 4th round in the 1991 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Kicker John Kasay out of the University of Georgia Bulldogs.

John Kasay has decided to hang up his cleats after 22 years spent in the National Football League, as a Carolina Panther.

An amazing 22 years in the National Football League, spent with just 3 teams. Of course, drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, he led the team in scoring all four years he was a part of that franchise. When he left the team, he had the highest field goal percentage in team history.

He became the first kicker for the Carolina Panthers franchise as they signed him as a free agent as they were a brand new team in the league. Where he pretty much became the face of that team, spending a majority of his career in Carolina. In 1996, he held the record for field goals in a single season (37), which was later broken by Olindo Mare (also played for the Seahawks and Panthers) when he kicked 39. That record didn’t last long as Neil Rackers and David Akers both broke them with 42 for Rackers (2005) and 44 for Akers (2011).

A long and successful career in the league, he was named to the Pro Bowl once in 1996 along with an All-Pro selection. He reached the Super Bowl with the Carolina Panthers in 2003, where they played and lost to the New England Patriots.

John Kasay lasted played in this league for the New Orleans Saints where he finished the 2011 season, re-signed and later released on August 31, 2012 after Garrett Hartley returned to the team.

He holds a few NFL records for a kicker in this league. Being 2nd all time for field goals made from 50+ yards with 42, which is only 8 behind Jason Hanson who also recently announced his retirement. Also the only kicker to successfully make 4 different field goals in 1 game that were 46+ yards.

An all time points leader for the Carolina Panthers, holds every kicking record for this team, considering he is the longest tenured player for this franchise.

The Carolina Panthers are signing him to a one day contract so he can announced his retirement for a team he has called home for 15 years.

Total stats for John Kasay are the following: 459 field goals made out of 561 attempted, 81.8 field goal percentage, longest field goal is 56 yards and scored 1,970 points where he ranks 8th on the leagues all time scoring list.