The last barefoot kicker in the NFL was Jeff Wilkins. He played for the St. Louis Rams and had a successful career as a kicker. In fact, he is regarded as one of the best kickers in Rams history. But what made him stand out even more was his decision to kick without wearing shoes.
I remember watching Jeff Wilkins kick during games and being amazed at his ability to kick the ball accurately and with power, all while barefoot. It was a unique sight to see, especially in a sport where players typically wear cleats for better traction and stability.
Wilkins’ decision to kick without shoes was not just a gimmick or a fashion statement. He believed that kicking barefoot allowed him to have better control and feel for the ball. He felt that wearing shoes created a barrier between him and the ball, making it harder to accurately kick it.
I can only imagine the amount of practice and dedication it took for Wilkins to perfect his barefoot kicking technique. Kicking a football is already a challenging skill to master, but doing it without the added support of shoes must have required even more precision and balance.
It’s worth noting that Wilkins wasn’t the first barefoot kicker in NFL history. In fact, there have been a few kickers throughout the years who have chosen to kick without shoes. However, Wilkins is often remembered as the last barefoot kicker because he was the most recent one to do so before the league implemented a rule requiring kickers to wear shoes for safety reasons.
The rule change came about after concerns were raised about the potential for injury to kickers’ feet if they were to accidentally step on another player’s cleats or on the turf itself. While it was certainly a valid concern, it also marked the end of an era for barefoot kickers in the NFL.
Looking back, it’s fascinating to think about the impact that a seemingly small decision, like choosing to kick without shoes, can have on a player’s career and legacy. Jeff Wilkins will forever be remembered not only as a talented kicker but also as the last barefoot kicker in the NFL.
The last barefoot kicker in the NFL was Jeff Wilkins. He had a successful career with the St. Louis Rams and chose to kick without shoes for better control and feel of the ball. While he wasn’t the first barefoot kicker in NFL history, he is often remembered as the last one before the league implemented a rule requiring kickers to wear shoes for safety reasons. Wilkins’ decision to kick barefoot set him apart and solidified his place in NFL history.