Dave Finzer

Dave Finzer
No. 15
Position:Punter
Personal information
Born: (1959-02-03) February 3, 1959 (age 65)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Wilmette (IL) Loyola
College:DePauw
Undrafted:1982
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Punts:151
Punt yards:6,094
Longest punt:87
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Dave Finzer is a former professional American football player who played punter for two seasons for the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks. He led the NFL in punts inside the 20-yard line with 26 in 1984. He graduated from Loyola Academy[1] in 1978, before kicking for the University of Illinois, and then transferring to Division III DePauw University in Indiana, where he played punter and kicker.

College career

Finzer began his college career at University of Illinois, where he currently is tied for the 4th longest kick in Illini history. Finzer then transferred to DePauw University, where he continued to kick and punt. He graduated in 1982.[2]

Professional career

In 1982, Finzer was a member of the Dallas Cowboys training camp, but did not make the team. The next season, the Chicago Bears signed him as a free agent, but he was cut once again. Finzer joined the San Diego Chargers for the 1984 preseason, before being traded to the Bears in exchange for a draft pick.[3] He played in all 16 games for the Bears, as well as two playoff games. Against the New Orleans Saints, Finzer had a 87 yard punt, which at the top was the 5th longest in NFL history and 2nd longest in Bears history.[2] Finzer was cut by the Bears at the end of the season for the same player that beat him out on the Chargers, Maury Buford.[4] He then joined the Seattle Seahawks for the 1985 season,[5] where he played in 12 games.[6]

Personal life

After Dave’s playing days, he went on to work for family business, Finzer Roller, the largest manufacturing of rollers in the United States.

References

  1. ^ "David Finzer '77 (1985)". Loyola Academy.
  2. ^ a b "FOOTBALL CARD OF DAVE FINZER '82 IS ISSUED". DePauw University. August 8, 1985. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  3. ^ "The Chicago Bears have acquired punter Dave Finzer from the San Diego Chargers". United Press International. August 16, 1984.
  4. ^ JB Blanchard (June 24, 2016). "1985 Bears Coverage: Finzer is looking for a job". Chicago Sun Times.
  5. ^ "CHICAGO TRIBUNE: PUNTER DAVE FINZER '82 TO SIGN WITH SEATTLE SEAHAWKS". DePauw University. October 2, 1985.
  6. ^ "Dave Finzer". Pro Football Reference.