Garo Yepremian

I Keek A Touchdown!

Garabed Sarko Yepremian – or just Garo Yepremian as he is better known by, is one of the more unusual success stories of NFL History. Born in Cyprus to Armenian Parents who had fled genocide from the Ottoman Empire he was working in a London warehouse and playing semi-pro soccer when his brother – a student at Indiana University – became convinced Garo could be a kicker in American football. Ineligible for college ball (playing semi-pro soccer ruined his chance to play in college) his brother acting as his agent, contacted the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons for tryouts. Landing one with the Lions he quickly impressed and was signed in October of the 1966 season.
Garo Yepremian, Miami Dolphins Kicker
Garo Yepremian
 Alledgedly, Garo Yepremian had never even seen an football game in the US and it was pretty apparent his rookie year. He didn’t know how to darn the equipment, would go the opposing team’s sideline after plays and even ran to middle of the field one game to help look for coin after the Lions had “lost” the coin toss. During one game, after he kicked an extra-point, Jubilantly he came off the field celebrating. The Lions were being beat badly this game so Alex Karras, the Lions Hall of Fame Defensive Tackle angrily asked “What the hell are you celebrating for”? At which Garo proudly exlaimed “I Keek a Touchdown”!!
 Despite his lack of football knowledge he proved his kicking talent was worth taking a look at. He actually set an NFL record with 6 field goals against Minnesota. He is also the last player to play without a facemask. Word is he felt he could concentrate on kicking better without it. After an encounter with Packers linebacker Ray Nitzchke though he rethought this strategy and started wearing a helmet with a facemask.
  He did not return to the Lions for the 1968 season choosing to fulfill military obligations instead and was not re-signed by the Lions in 1969, so he played semi-pro ball that year. In 1970 got on with Don Shula and the Miami Dolphins and kicked there for 9 seasons winning 2 Super Bowls while making the All Pro team twice. In 1971 he led the NFL in scoring with 117 points. As a Dolphin he led the league 3 times in Field Goal Conversion Percentage. After being released by Miami in 1979 he joined the New Orleans Saints were set set another NFL kicking record of 17 consecutive field goals made. He finished his career with 2 seasons in Tampa Bay.

Image Gallery of Kicker Garo Yepremian, 1966-1967, 1970-1981

Football Cards

Garo Yepremian All Time Career Statistics

Regular Season Kicking Statistics
Year Tm Games XPA XPM XP% FGA FGM Long FG%
1966 DET 9 11 11 100.0% 22 13 44 59.1%
1967 DET 8 23 22 95.7% 6 2 33 33.3%
1968 Did not play due to Military Obligation
1969 Played for Michigan Arrows of the Continental Football League
1970 MIA 13 31 31 100.0% 29 22 47 75.9%♦
1971+ MIA 14 33 33 100.0% 40 28 48 70.0%
1972 MIA 14 45♦ 43 95.6% 37 24 54 64.9%
1973*+ MIA 14 38 38 100.0% 37 25 53 67.6%
1974 MIA 14 43 43 100.0% 15 8 43 53.3%
1975 MIA 14 46 40 87.0% 16 13 40 81.3%♦
1976 MIA 14 31 29 93.5% 23 16 53 69.6%
1977 MIA 14 40 37 92.5% 22 10 52 45.5%
1978* MIA 16 45 41 91.1% 23 19 49 82.6%♦
1979 NOR 14 40 39 97.5% 16 12 44 75.0%
1980 TAM 16 32 31 96.9% 23 16 43 69.6%
1981 TAM 3 6 6 100.0% 4 2 44 50.0%
9 seasons Dolphins 127 352 335 95.2% 242 165 54 68.2%
2 seasons Lions 17 34 33 97.1% 28 15 44 53.6%
2 seasons Bucs 19 38 37 97.4% 27 18 44 66.7%
1 season Saints 14 40 39 97.5% 16 12 44 75.0%
14-Year NFL Career 177 464 444 95.7% 313 210 54 67.1%
Post Season Kicking Totals
Field Goals Xtra Points
Year Age Teamm Games FGA FGM FG% XPA XPM XP%
1970 26 MIA 1 2 0.0% 2 2 100.0%
1971+ 27 MIA 3 5 3 60.0% 6 6 100.0%
1972 28 MIA 3 5 2 40.0% 7 7 100.0%
1973*+ 29 MIA 3 5 5 100.0% 10 10 100.0%
1974 30 MIA 1 2 2 100.0% 3 2 66.7%
1978* 34 MIA 1 1 0.0% 1 1 100.0%
Post Season Totals 12 20 12 60.0% 29 28 96.6%

For some good additional reading:

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Owner/Operator of NFL Past Players. Also runs New Orleans Saints History