Greg Joseph

South African American football player (born 1994)

American football player
Greg Joseph
refer to caption
Joseph in 2019
No. 2 – Green Bay Packers
Position:Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1994-08-04) August 4, 1994 (age 29)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:206 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Donna Klein Jewish Academy (Palm Beach County, Florida)
American Heritage School (Delray Beach, Florida)
College:Florida Atlantic (2013–2017)
Undrafted:2018
Career history
  • Miami Dolphins (2018)*
  • Cleveland Browns (2018)
  • Carolina Panthers (2019)*
  • Tennessee Titans (2019)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020)
  • Minnesota Vikings (2021–2023)
  • Green Bay Packers (2024–present)
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Field goals:100
Field goal attempts:121
Field goal %:82.6
Longest field goal:61
Touchbacks:244
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Greg Joseph (born August 4, 1994) is a South African-born American professional football placekicker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida Atlantic and signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Later that year, Joseph made his NFL debut with the Cleveland Browns. He has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Minnesota Vikings.

Early years

Joseph was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Glen and Ilana Joseph.[1] In 2001, Joseph and his family moved to West Boca Raton, Florida as his family sought to leave South Africa, and his mother had family in Florida. Joseph has two younger brothers, Marc and Dylan.[2][3][1][4] Joseph is Jewish and says that Judaism has "absolutely" guided him during his life.[5][4]

Joseph played football and soccer at Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton, Florida (and was named all-county and all-state) and high school football (in which he was named all-county, all-state, and All-America by MaxPrep.com) at American Heritage School in Delray Beach, Florida.[6][7][4][8] He decided to focus on football after recognizing that he stood a much better chance of getting a college scholarship and going pro in football than in soccer.[9]

College career

Joseph spent five years at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton after walking onto the football team and redshirting his freshman year, and graduated in 2017 with a degree in exercise science and health promotion.[10][1][11][4] He graduated as the Owls’ all-time leader in field goals made (57), points scored (336), points after touchdown (PATs) made (165; in 170 attempts), and field goals attempted.[12][1][13][4] He also set the university's single-game records for PATs, field goals, points scored by kicking, and the Owls’ longest field goal (54 yards).[4][14]

As of February 2019, Joseph was working towards finishing his MBA at FAU.[10]

College statistics

Florida Atlantic Owls
Year School Conf Class Pos G XPM XPA XP% FGM FGA FG% Pts
2014 Florida Atlantic CUSA SO K 11 34 35 97.1 14 20 70.0 76
2015 Florida Atlantic CUSA JR K 12 28 28 100.0 18 27 66.7 82
2016 Florida Atlantic CUSA JR K 12 39 39 100.0 10 14 71.4 69
2017 Florida Atlantic CUSA SR K 14 64 68 94.1 15 21 71.4 109
Career Florida Atlantic 165 170 97.1 57 82 69.5 336

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 0+1⁄4 in
(1.84 m) 		210 lb
(95 kg) 		31+1⁄2 in
(0.80 m) 		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)
All values from Pro Day[15]

Miami Dolphins

After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, Joseph was signed as a free agent by the Miami Dolphins.[4] He made all three of the kicks he attempted in the preseason.[16] The Dolphins released Joseph on September 1, 2018.[17]

Cleveland Browns

Joseph was signed by the Cleveland Browns on September 17, 2018.[4] He replaced Zane Gonzalez, who was cut from the team after missing two field goals and two extra points the previous day against the New Orleans Saints.[13] During a Week 5 12–9 overtime victory over the Baltimore Ravens, Joseph made a game-winning 37-yard field goal in overtime.[18]

In his lone season with the Browns, Joseph made 17 of 20 field goal attempts, with a long of 51 (his misses were beyond 40 yards), and made 25-of-29 extra points.[19] Joseph was 4-of-4 from 20-to-29 yards, 7-of-7 from 30-to-39 yards, 5-of-7 from 40-to-49 yards and 1-of-2 from 50-plus yards.[20] In 2018, he handled 69 total kickoffs and achieved a touchback on 68.1% of them.[20]

On August 31, 2019, Joseph was released during final roster cuts after losing the kicker job to rookie Austin Seibert.[21]

Joseph was drafted in the fifth round of the fifth phase of the 2020 XFL Draft by the Seattle Dragons in October 2019 but did not sign with them.[22][23][24]

Carolina Panthers

On November 25, 2019, Joseph was signed to the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers.[25]

Tennessee Titans

Joseph with the Titans before a 2020 playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium

On December 18, 2019, the Tennessee Titans signed Joseph to a three-year contract off Carolina's practice squad, after waiving kicker Ryan Santoso and placing kicker Ryan Succop on injured reserve.[26][27] He made his Titans debut on December 22, kicking four extra points in a 38–28 loss to the Saints.[28] In the next game against the Houston Texans, Joseph went 5-for-5 on extra points as the Titans won on the road by a score of 35–14.[29]

Joseph did not attempt a field goal until his fifth game with the Titans when he made a 30-yard kick in the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Joseph went 15-for-15 on extra points before his first field goal attempt.[30]

Joseph was waived by the Titans on September 3, 2020, after the team signed Stephen Gostkowski to assume kicking duties.[31]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On September 8, 2020, Joseph signed to the practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[32] He was elevated to the active roster on December 18 for the team's Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[33]

Minnesota Vikings

Joseph with the Vikings in 2023

On February 11, 2021, Joseph signed with the Minnesota Vikings.[34] During a Week 2 33–34 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Joseph missed a game-winning 37-yard field goal attempt. Three weeks later, he made a game-winning 54-yard field goal against the Detroit Lions. A week later, he missed another game-winning field goal against the Carolina Panthers, but the Vikings would go on to win the game in overtime. On November 21, 2021, Joseph made his second game-winning field goal of the season, a 29-yarder against the Green Bay Packers.[35]

During a Week 4 28–25 victory over the Saints in London in 2022, Joseph converted all five field goal attempts, including a 47-yard game-winner, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[36] During a Week 15 39–36 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts, he was able to kick a 40-yard field goal in overtime despite an attempt to ice him, helping the Vikings win in the biggest comeback in NFL history.[37] In the next game against the New York Giants, Joseph hit a 61 yard game winning field goal in a 27–24 victory,[38] also setting a Vikings franchise record for longest made field goal.[39]

On March 14, 2023, Joseph signed a one-year contract extension with the Vikings.[40]

Green Bay Packers

On March 28, 2024, Joseph signed with the Green Bay Packers.[41]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team GP Overall FGs PATs Kickoffs Points
Blk Lng FGA FGM Pct XPA XPM Pct Blk KO Avg TB Ret
2018 CLE 14 0 51 20 17 85.0 29 25 86.2 0 69 63.5 47 20 76
2019 TEN 2 0 0 0 0 — 9 9 100.0 0 11 62.6 6 5 9
2021 MIN 17 0 55 38 33 86.8 40 36 90.0 0 94 63.9 76 18 135
2022 MIN 17 2 61 33 26 78.8 46 40 87.0 0 89 63.4 54 34 118
Total 50 2 61 91 76 83.5 124 110 88.7 0 263 63.4 183 77 338
Source: pro-football-referencecom

Postseason

Year Team GP Overall FGs PATs Kickoffs Points
Blk Lng FGA FGM Pct XPA XPM Pct Blk KO Avg TB Ret
2019 TEN 3 0 30 1 1 100.0 9 9 100.0 0 14 62.5 5 9 12
2022 MIN 1 0 38 1 1 100.0 3 3 100.0 0 6 64.7 4 1 6
Total 4 0 38 2 2 100.0 12 12 100.0 0 20 63.2 9 10 18
Source: pro-football-referencecom

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Greg Joseph". Titansonline.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  2. ^ Jason Lieser (May 21, 2018). "Dolphins K Greg Joseph out to win open competition with Jason Sanders," The Daily Dolphin.
  3. ^ Doerschuk, Steve (September 18, 2018). "Kicker Greg Joseph was sunning himself when Browns called – The Repository – Canton, OH". Cantonrep.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Carroll, Ed (October 19, 2018). "Cleveland Browns kicker Greg Joseph's long journey from Jewish day school to the NFL". Cleveland Jewish News. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  5. ^ Lightstone, Mordechai (January 15, 2020). "Rookie NFL Kicker Scores Goal With New Mezuzah – Greg Joseph already an inspiration in Cleveland". Chabad-Lubavitch News. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  6. ^ "2017 Football Roster; 17 Greg Joseph"
  7. ^ Riechmann, Deb (September 2, 2019). "Cleveland Browns cut Jewish placekicker Greg Joseph". The Times of Israel. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  8. ^ Schad, Joe (August 19, 2018). "Greg Joseph of American Heritage and FAU drills 54-yarder for Miami Dolphins". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  9. ^ Emily Burack (November 24, 2021) Only Jewish NFL kicker talks game-winning field goals and his love for the community, The Time of Israel. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Elman, Jake (February 22, 2019). "Cleveland Browns kicker Greg Joseph recalls being cut by FAU in guest speaking appearance with current students". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  11. ^ "Greg Joseph College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  12. ^ Staley, Antwan (May 15, 2018). "FAU alum Greg Joseph will try to win Dolphins kicking job". Dolphinswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Labbe, Dan (September 17, 2018). "Browns sign kicker Greg Joseph". Cleveland.com.
  14. ^ "New Cleveland Browns placekicker Joseph looks to solve team's woes". Draftnasty Magazine. September 17, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  15. ^ "2018 Draft Scout Greg Joseph, Florida Atlantic NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  16. ^ Lieser, Jason (August 30, 2018). "Miami Dolphins rookie Greg Joseph believes he's an NFL kicker". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  17. ^ Beasley, Adam H.; Jackson, Barry; Salguero, Armando (September 1, 2018). "Live updates: All the players the Miami Dolphins have cut from their roster". Miami Herald. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  18. ^ Florjancic, Matthew (October 7, 2018). "Cleveland Browns beat Baltimore Ravens, 12–9, on Greg Joseph FG in OT". WKYC. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  19. ^ "Cleveland Browns cut Jewish placekicker Greg Joseph". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. September 1, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Michael Moraitis. "Titans to sign K Greg Joseph from Panthers practice squad: Report"
  21. ^ "Browns cut roster to 53 players". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 31, 2019.
  22. ^ "Former Seahawks highlight Seattle Dragons' picks in XFL Draft". KIRO. October 16, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  23. ^ Herndon, Mike B. (December 17, 2019). "Titans sign kicker Greg Joseph from the Panthers practice squad". Music City Miracles. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  24. ^ Herndon, Mike B. (December 17, 2019). "Titans sign kicker Greg Joseph from the Panthers practice squad". musiccitymiracles.com. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  25. ^ "Panthers promote offensive lineman and sign kicker to practice squad". Panthers.com. November 25, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  26. ^ Moraitis, Michael (December 18, 2019). "Titans signing of K Greg Joseph to multi-year deal confirmed by agent". Titan Sized. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  27. ^ Wyatt, Jim (December 18, 2019). "Lucky No.7? New Titans Kicker Greg Joseph Ready for Opportunity in Tennessee". Tennessee Titans. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  28. ^ Herndon, Mike B. (December 23, 2019). "Winners and Losers from Saints 38, Titans 28". Music City Miracles.
  29. ^ "Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans – December 29th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  30. ^ Walker, Teresa (January 19, 2020). "Titans not giving their kicker much of a chance to show off his leg these days, and that's OK with him". Chattanooga Times Free Press.
  31. ^ Bacharach, Eric (September 3, 2020). "Titans sign kicker Stephen Gostkowski, waive Greg Joseph". The Tennessean.
  32. ^ Smith, Scott (September 8, 2020). "Former First-Round QB Josh Rosen Joins Bucs' Practice Squad". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  33. ^ Smith, Scott (December 18, 2020). "Bucs Elevate Two from Practice Squad, Sign Punter and Long-Snapper". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  34. ^ Smith, Eric (February 11, 2021). "Vikings Sign Kicker Greg Joseph to Roster". Vikings.com. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  35. ^ Krammer, Andrew (November 21, 2021). "Vikings kicker Greg Joseph once again comes through in the clutch". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  36. ^ Gordon, Grant (October 5, 2022). "Seahawks QB Geno Smith, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes among Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  37. ^ "Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings Live Score and Stats – December 17, 2022 Gametracker". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  38. ^ Dubin, Jared (December 24, 2022). "Vikings vs. Giants score: Live updates, game stats, highlights, analysis for Christmas Eve showdown". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  39. ^ "Vikings Communications". Twitter. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  40. ^ Young, Lindsey (March 14, 2023). "Greg Joseph & Vikings Agree to Terms to Bring Back Kicker". Vikings.com. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  41. ^ "Packers sign K Greg Joseph". Packers.com. March 28, 2024.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Greg Joseph.
  • Green Bay Packers bio
  • FAU Owls bio
  • "Player interviews: Greg Joseph: I'm Always Confident in Myself and My Ability," titansonline.com.
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