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{{Short description|American football player (born 1957)}}
{{Short description|American football player (born 1957)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
{{Infobox NFL biography
|name=Jeff Gossett
| name = Jeff Gossett
| number = 7, 8, 6
|image=
|position=[[Punter (American football)|Punter]]
| position = [[Punter (American football)|Punter]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|1|25|mf=y}}
|number=7, 8, 6
| birth_place = [[Charleston, Illinois]], U.S.
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1957|1|25|mf=y}}
| height_ft = 6
|birth_place=[[Charleston, Illinois]], U.S.
| height_in = 2
|death_date=
| weight_lb = 200
|undraftedyear=1980
|college=[[Eastern Illinois University|Eastern Illinois]]
| high_school = [[Charleston High School (Illinois)|Charleston]]
| college = [[Eastern Illinois Panthers football|Eastern Illinois]]
|teams=
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] (1980)*
| undraftedyear = 1980
| teams =
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{NFL Year|1980}})*
* [[San Diego Chargers]] (1981)*
* [[San Diego Chargers]] (1981)*
* [[Kansas City Chiefs]] (1981–1982)
* [[Kansas City Chiefs]] ({{NFL Year|1981|1982}})
* [[Cleveland Browns]] (1983)
* [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{NFL Year|1983}})
* [[Chicago Blitz]] (1984)
* [[Chicago Blitz]] ({{USFL Year|1984}})
* [[Portland Breakers]] (1985)
* [[Portland Breakers]] ({{USFL Year|1985}})
* [[Cleveland Browns]] (1985–1987)
* [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{NFL Year|1985|1987}})
* [[Houston Oilers]] (1987)
* [[Houston Oilers]] (1987)
* [[Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders]] (1988–1996)
* [[Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders]] ({{NFL Year|1988|1996}})
| highlights =
|pastteamsnote = yes
|statlabel1=[[Punt (gridiron football)|Punts]]
|statvalue1=982
|statlabel2=Punting yards
|statvalue2=40,569
|statlabel3=Punting yard average
|statvalue3=41.3
|nfl=GOS692150
|pfr=GossJe20
|highlights=
* First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1991 All-Pro Team|1991]])
* First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1991 All-Pro Team|1991]])
* [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1992 Pro Bowl|1991]])
* [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1992 Pro Bowl|1991]])
* [[Golden Toe Award|''PFW'' Golden Toe Award]] (1991)
* [[Golden Toe Award|''PFW'' Golden Toe Award]] (1991)
| statlabel1 = [[Punt (gridiron football)|Punts]]
| statvalue1 = 982
| statlabel2 = Punting yards
| statvalue2 = 40,569
| statlabel3 = Punting yard average
| statvalue3 = 41.3
| pfr = GossJe20
}}
}}

All American D2 Baseball at Eastern Illinois.
'''Jeffrey Alan Gossett''' (born January 25, 1957) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[Punter (American football)|punter]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) and the [[United States Football League]] (USFL). He played [[college football]] for the [[Eastern Illinois Panthers football|Eastern Illinois Panthers]].
All American punter 1977 D2 at Eastern Illinois.

'''Jeffrey Alan Gossett''' (born January 25, 1957) is a former [[American football]] [[Punter (American football)|punter]] who played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) and the [[United States Football League]] (USFL). He played college football at [[Eastern Illinois University]] where he was a member of [[Sigma Pi]] fraternity.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Langhammer|first=Jay|date=Spring–Summer 1984|volume=72|number=1|magazine=The Emerald of Sigma Pi|title=Sigma Pi Sports|pages=16–17|url=http://www.enivation.com/SigmaPi/archive/Emerald/1984/SP_EMERALD_VOL_72_SPRING_SUMMER_1984.pdf}}</ref> He was the [[Starting lineup|starting]] punter for the [[Oakland Raiders|Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders]] from 1988 through 1996. During the 1996 season, at age 39, Jeff was the NFL's oldest punter. Gossest had an amazing ability to extend the amount of time his punts stayed in the air (known as "hang time"), which allowed his fellow players to get down the field to converge on the punt returners and/or down balls inside the 20 yard line. He ended his football career after the 1996 season. One of the top punters in the NFL in the 1980s he averaged a career high 44.2 yards per punt in 1991 and earned a spot on the [[Pro Bowl]] roster. He also played in the USFL for the [[Chicago Blitz]] in 1984 and the [[Portland Breakers]] in 1985.
==Early life==
Drafted by NY Mets 5th round (107th pick) 1978. Played 2 years in minor league, Third Base and Outfield. Made All Star team in 1978 with Lynchburg Mets.
Gossett attended [[Charleston High School (Illinois)|Charleston High School]]. In football, he played as a [[quarterback]] and punter. He also practiced [[baseball]] and [[basketball]].

==College career==
Gossett, accepted an athletic scholarship from [[Eastern Illinois University]]. As a sophomore, he led the [[NCAA Division II]] in punting with a then school record 43.1-yard average. He also set the school records career average (40.7) and longest punt (77 yards).

He competed in [[baseball]] as a [[shortstop]]. In 1978, he contributed to the team earning a fifth place in the College Division World Series. He set the school record for triples in a season (7) and in a career (14), while ranking in the top ten in career hits, home runs and RBIs.

In 1987, he was inducted into the school's Sports Hall of Fame.


==Baseball career==
==Baseball career==
In 1978, Gossett was drafted in the fifth round by the [[New York Mets]] and played in their [[Farm team|farm system]] for two seasons as an [[outfielder]] and [[third baseman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatemets.com/profile.php?PlayerCode=3J55 |title=Jeff Gossett |publisher=ultimatemets.com |accessdate=May 1, 2013 }}</ref>
In 1978, Gossett was selected in the fifth round by the [[New York Mets]] and played in their [[Farm team|farm system]] for two seasons as an [[outfielder]] and [[third baseman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatemets.com/profile.php?PlayerCode=3J55 |title=Jeff Gossett baseball profile |publisher=ultimatemets.com |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref> He left after he was asked to convert into a [[pitcher]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/10/sports/scouting-career-change.html |title=SCOUTING; Career Change|work=The New York Times|date=September 10, 1985 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref>


==Professional career==
==References==
===Dallas Cowboys===
{{Reflist}}
Gossett was signed as an [[undrafted free agent]] by the [[Dallas Cowboys]] after the [[1980 NFL draft]] on April 30. He was released before the start of the season on August 25.


===San Diego Chargers===
==External links==
On March 9, 1981, he signed as a [[free agent]] with the [[San Diego Chargers]]. On August 31, he was released after the team acquired punter [[George Roberts (American football)|George Roberts]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/08/31/The-San-Diego-Chargers-trying-to-shore-up-their/3327368078400/ |title=The San Diego Chargers, trying to shore up their.... |publisher=UPI |date=August 31, 1981 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref>
* [http://www.nfl.com/players/jeffgossett/profile?id=GOS692150 Profile page on NFL.com]


===Kansas City Chiefs===
On November 5, 1981, he was signed by the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] to replace an injured [[Bob Grupp]], finishing with a 39.3-yard punt average.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/09/01/Cleveland-Browns-punter-Steve-Cox-has-had-successful-brain/2211431236800/ |title=Cleveland Browns punter Steve Cox has had successful brain...|publisher=UPI |date=September 1, 1983 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref>

In 1982, he was cut before the seventh game of the season and surprisingly brought back a week later after a terrible showing by rookie [[Case deBruijn]] against the [[Denver Broncos]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109087898/the-kansas-city-times/|newspaper=[[The Kansas City Times]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 23, 1982|page=45|title=Chiefs' moves send message to kicking teams|author=Pulliam, Kent|access-date=September 7, 2022|archive-date=September 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907010106/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109087898/the-kansas-city-times/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> He ranked fourth in the American Football Conference with a 41.4-yard average, but his net average of 30.9 was the worst in the league.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/08/23/Rookie-Jim-Arnold-of-the-Kansas-City-Chiefs-has/6880430459200/ |title=Rookie Jim Arnold of the Kansas City Chiefs has... |publisher=UPI |date=August 23, 1983 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref>

On August 29, 1983, he was released after losing a preseason competition with rookie fifth round draft choice [[Jim Arnold (American football)|Jim Arnold]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/08/29/The-Kansas-City-Chiefs-Monday-traded-away-two-veterans/6002430977600/ |title=The Kansas City Chiefs Monday traded away two veterans... |publisher=UPI |date=August 29, 1983 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref>

===Cleveland Browns===
On August 31, 1983, he was claimed off waivers by the [[Cleveland Browns]], to replace [[Steve Cox (American football)|Steve Cox]], who was recovering from a surgery to remove a blockage between his brain and his spinal cord.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/08/31/National-Football-League-Roundup/7723431150400/ |title=National Football League Roundup|publisher=UPI |date=August 31, 1983 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref> He had a 40.8-yard average on 70 punts.

===Chicago Blitz===
On December 20, 1983, he was signed by the [[Chicago Blitz]] of the [[United States Football League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/12/20/Tuesdays-Sports-Transactions/2641440744400/ |title=Tuesday's Sports Transactions |publisher=UPI |date=December 20, 1983 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref> In 1984, he led the league with a 42.5-yard average on 85 punts, including downing 18 punts inside the 20-yard line.

===Portland Breakers===
In 1985, he played for the [[Portland Breakers]] of the [[United States Football League]]. He ranked fourth in the league
with 74 punts for a 42.2-yard average, including 19 kicks downed inside the 20-yard line.

===Cleveland Browns===
On January 27, 1985, he signed with the [[Cleveland Browns]] after the [[United States Football League]] folded, averaging 40.3 yards on 81 punts, including a career-long punt of 64 yards against the [[St. Louis Cardinals (NFL)|St. Louis Cardinals]].

In 1986, he had 83 punts for a 41.2-yard average, including a 61-yard punt against the [[Minnesota Vikings]]. He experienced some struggles, like the contest against the [[Houston Oilers]], when he shanked five consecutive punts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/12/01/The-Houston-Oilers-and-the-Cleveland-Browns-did-their/4133533797200/ |title=The Houston Oilers and the Cleveland Browns did their... |publisher=UPI |date=December 1, 1986 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref>

In 1987, he played in the first 5 games of the season, before being replaced with rookie punter [[George Winslow (American football)|George Winslow]] and released on November 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/11/18/Wednesdays-Sports-Transactions/9796564210000/ |title=Wednesday's Sports Transactions |publisher=UPI |date=November 18, 1987 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref>

===Houston Oilers===
On December 2, 1987, he signed as a [[free agent]] with the [[Houston Oilers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/12/02/Wednesdays-Sports-Transactions/8979565419600/ |title=Wednesday's Sports Transactions |publisher=UPI |date=December 2, 1987 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref> He played in the last 4 games of the season.

In 1988, the team drafted punter [[Greg Montgomery]] in the third round and traded Gossett to the [[Los Angeles Raiders]] on August 15, in exchange for undisclosed future considerations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/08/15/NFL-Training-Camp-Roundup/8582587620800/ |title=NFL Training Camp Roundup |publisher=UPI |date=August 15, 1988 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref>

===Los Angeles Raiders===
In 1988, he was acquired to replace punter [[Stan Talley]]. He finished fourth in the league with a 41.8-yard average on 91 punts, was third in the American Football Conference in net punting with 35.7-yard average and tied for the league lead for punts downed inside the 20-yard line with 27. He had a 58-yard punt against the [[Miami Dolphins]].

In 1991, he switched his jersey number from 6 to 7, and went on to average a career-high 44.2 yards per punt, while being named an [[All-Pro]] and selected to the [[Pro Bowl]] roster.

In 1996, he was the NFL's oldest punter at age 39.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/21/sports/a-colt-in-baltimore-is-now-pops-in-dallas.html |title=A Colt in Baltimore Is Now 'Pops' in Dallas |work=The New York Times |date=November 21, 1996 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref> He broke four ribs after being tackled on a fake punt in the twelfth game against the [[Seattle Seahawks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/03/sports/panthers-are-bracing-for-49er-showdown.html |title=Panthers Are Bracing For 49er Showdown |work=The New York Times |date=December 3, 1996 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref> On November 27, 1996, he was placed on the [[injured reserve list]]. He was replaced with [[Leo Araguz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-06-sp-6433-story.html |title=Bengals Suspend Fullback Cothran |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 6, 1996 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref> He was released on February 14, 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/15/sports/george-set-to-join-the-raiders.html |title=George Set to Join the Raiders |work=The New York Times |date=February 15, 1997 |accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref>

Gossett finished his Raiders career with 642 punts (at the time second in team history) for 26,747 yards (at the time second in team history) and averaged 41.7 yards per punt. Overall he had 982 punts for 40,569 yards and averaged 41.3 yards per punt.

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

=== Regular season ===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="10"| Punting
|-
! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! Punts !! {{abbr|Yds|Yards}} !! {{Nowrap|Net Yds}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest punt}} !! {{abbr|Avg|Average}} !! {{Nowrap|Net Avg}} !! {{abbr|Blk|Blocked punts}} !! {{abbr|Ins20|Inside 20 yard line}} !! {{abbr|TB|Touchbacks}}
|-
! [[1981 NFL season|1981]] !! [[1981 Kansas City Chiefs season|KAN]]
| 7 || 29 || 1,141 || 953 || 55 || 39.3 || 32.9 || 0 || 4 || 3
|-
! [[1982 NFL season|1982]] !! [[1982 Kansas City Chiefs season|KAN]]
| 8 || 33 || 1,366 || 1,019 || 56 || 41.4 || 30.9 || 0 || 6 || 5
|-
! [[1983 NFL season|1983]] !! [[1983 Cleveland Browns season|CLE]]
| '''16''' || 70 || 2,854 || 2,385 || 60 || 40.8 || 34.1 || 0 || 17 || 8
|-
! [[1985 NFL season|1985]] !! [[1985 Cleveland Browns season|CLE]]
| '''16''' || 81 || 3,261 || 2,797 || 64 || 40.3 || 34.5 || 0 || 18 || 8
|-
! [[1986 NFL season|1986]] !! [[1986 Cleveland Browns season|CLE]]
| '''16''' || 83 || 3,423 || 2,955 || 61 || 41.2 || 35.6 || 0 || 21 || 10
|-
! rowspan="2" | [[1987 NFL season|1987]] !! [[1987 Cleveland Browns season|CLE]]
| 5 || 19 || 769 || 641 || 55 || 40.5 || 33.7 || 0 || 4 || 4
|-
! [[1987 Houston Oilers season|HOU]]
| 4 || 25 || 1,008 || 782 || 53 || 40.3 || 30.1 || 1 || 0 || 2
|-
! [[1988 NFL season|1988]] !! [[1988 Los Angeles Raiders season|RAI]]
| '''16''' || '''91''' || '''3,804''' || '''3,247''' || 58 || 41.8 || 35.7 || 0 || '''27''' || 8
|-
! [[1989 NFL season|1989]] !! [[1989 Los Angeles Raiders season|RAI]]
| '''16''' || 67 || 2,711 || 2,270 || 60 || 40.5 || 33.9 || 0 || 12 || 7
|-
! [[1990 NFL season|1990]] !! [[1990 Los Angeles Raiders season|RAI]]
| '''16''' || 60 || 2,315 || 2,082 || 57 || 38.6 || 33.6 || '''2''' || 19 || 4
|-
! [[1991 NFL season|1991]] !! [[1991 Los Angeles Raiders season|RAI]]
| '''16''' || 67 || 2,961 || 2,580 || 61 || '''44.2''' || '''38.5''' || 0 || 26 || 2
|-
! [[1992 NFL season|1992]] !! [[1992 Los Angeles Raiders season|RAI]]
| '''16''' || 77 || 3,255 || 2,810 || 56 || 42.3 || 36.5 || 0 || 17 || 3
|-
! [[1993 NFL season|1993]] !! [[1993 Los Angeles Raiders season|RAI]]
| '''16''' || 71 || 2,971 || 2,490 || 61 || 41.8 || 35.1 || 0 || 19 || 9
|-
! [[1994 NFL season|1994]] !! [[1994 Los Angeles Raiders season|RAI]]
| '''16''' || 77 || 3,377 || 2,711 || '''65''' || 43.9 || 35.2 || 0 || 19 || '''15'''
|-
! [[1995 NFL season|1995]] !! [[1995 Oakland Raiders season|OAK]]
| '''16''' || 75 || 3,089 || 2,635 || 60 || 41.2 || 34.7 || 1 || 22 || 8
|-
! [[1996 NFL season|1996]] !! [[1996 Oakland Raiders season|OAK]]
| 12 || 57 || 2,264 || 1,972 || 64 || 39.7 || 34.6 || 0 || 19 || 5
|-
! colspan="2"| Career !! 212 !! 982 !! 40,569 !! 34,329 !! 65 !! 41.3 !! 34.8 !! 4 !! 250 !! 101
|}

=== Playoffs ===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="10"| Punting
|-
! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! Punts !! {{abbr|Yds|Yards}} !! {{Nowrap|Net Yds}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest punt}} !! {{abbr|Avg|Average}} !! {{Nowrap|Net Avg}} !! {{abbr|Blk|Blocked punts}} !! {{abbr|Ins20|Inside 20 yard line}} !! {{abbr|TB|Touchbacks}}
|-
! [[1985 NFL season|1985]] !! [[1985 Cleveland Browns season|CLE]]
| 1 || 6 || 223 || 200 || 57 || 37.2 || 33.3 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1986 NFL season|1986]] !! [[1986 Cleveland Browns season|CLE]]
| '''2''' || '''14''' || '''569''' || '''473''' || '''58''' || '''40.6''' || 33.8 || 0 || '''3''' || '''2'''
|-
! [[1987 NFL season|1987]] !! [[1987 Houston Oilers season|HOU]]
| '''2''' || 6 || 239 || 158 || 57 || 39.8 || 26.3 || 0 || 1 || 0
|-
! [[1990 NFL season|1990]] !! [[1990 Los Angeles Raiders season|RAI]]
| '''2''' || 5 || 200 || 150 || 52 || 40.0 || 30.0 || 0 || 2 || 1
|-
! [[1991 NFL season|1991]] !! [[1991 Los Angeles Raiders season|RAI]]
| 1 || 1 || 20 || 20 || 20 || 20.0 || 20.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1993 NFL season|1993]] !! [[1993 Los Angeles Raiders season|RAI]]
| '''2''' || 10 || 392 || 347 || 50 || 39.2 || '''34.7''' || 0 || '''3''' || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| Career !! 10 !! 42 !! 1,643 !! 1,348 !! 58 !! 39.1 !! 32.1 !! 0 !! 9 !! 3
|}

==Personal life==
He was a member of [[Sigma Pi]] fraternity.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Langhammer|first=Jay|date=Spring–Summer 1984|volume=72|number=1|magazine=The Emerald of Sigma Pi|title=Sigma Pi Sports|pages=16–17|url=http://www.enivation.com/SigmaPi/archive/Emerald/1984/SP_EMERALD_VOL_72_SPRING_SUMMER_1984.pdf|access-date=May 31, 2016|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118041206/http://www.enivation.com/SigmaPi/archive/Emerald/1984/SP_EMERALD_VOL_72_SPRING_SUMMER_1984.pdf|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gossett, Jeff}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gossett, Jeff}}
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[[Category:American football punters]]
[[Category:American football punters]]
[[Category:Eastern Illinois Panthers football players]]
[[Category:Eastern Illinois Panthers football players]]
[[Category:Eastern Illinois Panthers baseball players]]
[[Category:Kansas City Chiefs players]]
[[Category:Kansas City Chiefs players]]
[[Category:Cleveland Browns players]]
[[Category:Cleveland Browns players]]
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[[Category:Players of American football from Illinois]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Illinois]]
[[Category:People from Charleston, Illinois]]
[[Category:People from Charleston, Illinois]]
[[Category:Sigma Pi members]]


{{Amfoot-punter-stub}}

Latest revision as of 02:05, 21 December 2024

Jeff Gossett
No. 7, 8, 6
Position:Punter
Personal information
Born: (1957-01-25) January 25, 1957 (age 67)
Charleston, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Charleston
College:Eastern Illinois
Undrafted:1980
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Punts:982
Punting yards:40,569
Punting yard average:41.3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jeffrey Alan Gossett (born January 25, 1957) is an American former professional football player who was a punter in the National Football League (NFL) and the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football for the Eastern Illinois Panthers.

Early life

[edit]

Gossett attended Charleston High School. In football, he played as a quarterback and punter. He also practiced baseball and basketball.

College career

[edit]

Gossett, accepted an athletic scholarship from Eastern Illinois University. As a sophomore, he led the NCAA Division II in punting with a then school record 43.1-yard average. He also set the school records career average (40.7) and longest punt (77 yards).

He competed in baseball as a shortstop. In 1978, he contributed to the team earning a fifth place in the College Division World Series. He set the school record for triples in a season (7) and in a career (14), while ranking in the top ten in career hits, home runs and RBIs.

In 1987, he was inducted into the school's Sports Hall of Fame.

Baseball career

[edit]

In 1978, Gossett was selected in the fifth round by the New York Mets and played in their farm system for two seasons as an outfielder and third baseman.[1] He left after he was asked to convert into a pitcher.[2]

Professional career

[edit]

Dallas Cowboys

[edit]

Gossett was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 1980 NFL draft on April 30. He was released before the start of the season on August 25.

San Diego Chargers

[edit]

On March 9, 1981, he signed as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers. On August 31, he was released after the team acquired punter George Roberts.[3]

Kansas City Chiefs

[edit]

On November 5, 1981, he was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs to replace an injured Bob Grupp, finishing with a 39.3-yard punt average.[4]

In 1982, he was cut before the seventh game of the season and surprisingly brought back a week later after a terrible showing by rookie Case deBruijn against the Denver Broncos.[5] He ranked fourth in the American Football Conference with a 41.4-yard average, but his net average of 30.9 was the worst in the league.[6]

On August 29, 1983, he was released after losing a preseason competition with rookie fifth round draft choice Jim Arnold.[7]

Cleveland Browns

[edit]

On August 31, 1983, he was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns, to replace Steve Cox, who was recovering from a surgery to remove a blockage between his brain and his spinal cord.[8] He had a 40.8-yard average on 70 punts.

Chicago Blitz

[edit]

On December 20, 1983, he was signed by the Chicago Blitz of the United States Football League.[9] In 1984, he led the league with a 42.5-yard average on 85 punts, including downing 18 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Portland Breakers

[edit]

In 1985, he played for the Portland Breakers of the United States Football League. He ranked fourth in the league with 74 punts for a 42.2-yard average, including 19 kicks downed inside the 20-yard line.

Cleveland Browns

[edit]

On January 27, 1985, he signed with the Cleveland Browns after the United States Football League folded, averaging 40.3 yards on 81 punts, including a career-long punt of 64 yards against the St. Louis Cardinals.

In 1986, he had 83 punts for a 41.2-yard average, including a 61-yard punt against the Minnesota Vikings. He experienced some struggles, like the contest against the Houston Oilers, when he shanked five consecutive punts.[10]

In 1987, he played in the first 5 games of the season, before being replaced with rookie punter George Winslow and released on November 18.[11]

Houston Oilers

[edit]

On December 2, 1987, he signed as a free agent with the Houston Oilers.[12] He played in the last 4 games of the season.

In 1988, the team drafted punter Greg Montgomery in the third round and traded Gossett to the Los Angeles Raiders on August 15, in exchange for undisclosed future considerations.[13]

Los Angeles Raiders

[edit]

In 1988, he was acquired to replace punter Stan Talley. He finished fourth in the league with a 41.8-yard average on 91 punts, was third in the American Football Conference in net punting with 35.7-yard average and tied for the league lead for punts downed inside the 20-yard line with 27. He had a 58-yard punt against the Miami Dolphins.

In 1991, he switched his jersey number from 6 to 7, and went on to average a career-high 44.2 yards per punt, while being named an All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl roster.

In 1996, he was the NFL's oldest punter at age 39.[14] He broke four ribs after being tackled on a fake punt in the twelfth game against the Seattle Seahawks.[15] On November 27, 1996, he was placed on the injured reserve list. He was replaced with Leo Araguz.[16] He was released on February 14, 1997.[17]

Gossett finished his Raiders career with 642 punts (at the time second in team history) for 26,747 yards (at the time second in team history) and averaged 41.7 yards per punt. Overall he had 982 punts for 40,569 yards and averaged 41.3 yards per punt.

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Punting
GP Punts Yds Net Yds Lng Avg Net Avg Blk Ins20 TB
1981 KAN 7 29 1,141 953 55 39.3 32.9 0 4 3
1982 KAN 8 33 1,366 1,019 56 41.4 30.9 0 6 5
1983 CLE 16 70 2,854 2,385 60 40.8 34.1 0 17 8
1985 CLE 16 81 3,261 2,797 64 40.3 34.5 0 18 8
1986 CLE 16 83 3,423 2,955 61 41.2 35.6 0 21 10
1987 CLE 5 19 769 641 55 40.5 33.7 0 4 4
HOU 4 25 1,008 782 53 40.3 30.1 1 0 2
1988 RAI 16 91 3,804 3,247 58 41.8 35.7 0 27 8
1989 RAI 16 67 2,711 2,270 60 40.5 33.9 0 12 7
1990 RAI 16 60 2,315 2,082 57 38.6 33.6 2 19 4
1991 RAI 16 67 2,961 2,580 61 44.2 38.5 0 26 2
1992 RAI 16 77 3,255 2,810 56 42.3 36.5 0 17 3
1993 RAI 16 71 2,971 2,490 61 41.8 35.1 0 19 9
1994 RAI 16 77 3,377 2,711 65 43.9 35.2 0 19 15
1995 OAK 16 75 3,089 2,635 60 41.2 34.7 1 22 8
1996 OAK 12 57 2,264 1,972 64 39.7 34.6 0 19 5
Career 212 982 40,569 34,329 65 41.3 34.8 4 250 101

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team Punting
GP Punts Yds Net Yds Lng Avg Net Avg Blk Ins20 TB
1985 CLE 1 6 223 200 57 37.2 33.3 0 0 0
1986 CLE 2 14 569 473 58 40.6 33.8 0 3 2
1987 HOU 2 6 239 158 57 39.8 26.3 0 1 0
1990 RAI 2 5 200 150 52 40.0 30.0 0 2 1
1991 RAI 1 1 20 20 20 20.0 20.0 0 0 0
1993 RAI 2 10 392 347 50 39.2 34.7 0 3 0
Career 10 42 1,643 1,348 58 39.1 32.1 0 9 3

Personal life

[edit]

He was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity.[18]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Jeff Gossett baseball profile". ultimatemets.com. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  2. ^ "SCOUTING; Career Change". The New York Times. September 10, 1985. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  3. ^ "The San Diego Chargers, trying to shore up their..." UPI. August 31, 1981. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  4. ^ "Cleveland Browns punter Steve Cox has had successful brain..." UPI. September 1, 1983. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  5. ^ Pulliam, Kent (December 23, 1982). "Chiefs' moves send message to kicking teams". The Kansas City Times. p. 45. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ "Rookie Jim Arnold of the Kansas City Chiefs has..." UPI. August 23, 1983. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  7. ^ "The Kansas City Chiefs Monday traded away two veterans..." UPI. August 29, 1983. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  8. ^ "National Football League Roundup". UPI. August 31, 1983. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  9. ^ "Tuesday's Sports Transactions". UPI. December 20, 1983. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  10. ^ "The Houston Oilers and the Cleveland Browns did their..." UPI. December 1, 1986. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  11. ^ "Wednesday's Sports Transactions". UPI. November 18, 1987. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  12. ^ "Wednesday's Sports Transactions". UPI. December 2, 1987. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  13. ^ "NFL Training Camp Roundup". UPI. August 15, 1988. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  14. ^ "A Colt in Baltimore Is Now 'Pops' in Dallas". The New York Times. November 21, 1996. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  15. ^ "Panthers Are Bracing For 49er Showdown". The New York Times. December 3, 1996. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  16. ^ "Bengals Suspend Fullback Cothran". Los Angeles Times. December 6, 1996. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  17. ^ "George Set to Join the Raiders". The New York Times. February 15, 1997. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  18. ^ Langhammer, Jay (Spring–Summer 1984). "Sigma Pi Sports" (PDF). The Emerald of Sigma Pi. Vol. 72, no. 1. pp. 16–17. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
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