Kicker Nate Kaeding Retires From The NFL

September 10, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding (10) kicks a field goal out of the hold by punter Mike Scifres (5) during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

NFL kicker Nate Kaeding has decided to retire and end his career. Kaeding suffered a groin injury while kicking a few days ago and told Iowa City Press-Citizen reporter Pat Harty that he was calling it a career.

“It’s not like I can switch the way I kick, or change this way, or use a different muscle,” Kaeding said. “Especially for me, and the way I kick, that’s the main lever in the kicking motion. It’s impossible to avoid it and I’ve got these chronic issues.”

He had spent the majority of his career with the San Diego Chargers, before spending the 2012 season with the Miami Dolphins. He was set to kick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season.

He was a two-time Pro Bowler (’06 and ’09) in his career. In college he was an All-American and two-time All Big 10 First teamer for the University of Iowa.

He converted 86.2% of his tries in his career. That makes him the second most accurate kicker in NFL history (among retired players) behind only Mike Vanderjagt (86.47%). Had he not played for the Dolphins last year, where he went 1 for 3, he would have been ahead of Vanderjagt with an even 87% completion rate.

Amongst kickers all time he is currently fourth. Two young kickers are currently ahead of him and Vanderjagt: Dan Bailey (89.71%) and Alex Henery (87.93%).