Alan Pringle

Last updated

Alan Pringle
No. 15
Position: Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1952-01-20) January 20, 1952 (age 72)
Los Taques, Venezuela
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Rugby (UK)
College: Rice (1970–1971, 1973–1974)
NFL draft: 1975  / round: 10 / pick: 246
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played:1
Player stats at PFR

Alan Keith Pringle (born January 20, 1952) is a Venezuelan-born former American football placekicker who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions. Born in Venezuela, he played college football for the Rice Owls and was also a member of the Houston Oilers and New England Patriots.

Contents

Early life

Pringle was born on January 20, 1952, in Los Taques, Venezuela, and spent his early years in Caracas. [1] [2] His parents were from England. [3] Pringle is, along with fellow placekicker Pat Ragusa, one of only two Venezuelan-born National Football League (NFL) players. [4] He later moved to England where he attended Rugby High School. [5] He grew up playing soccer and rugby. [6]

College career

Pringle later moved to the United States to attend Rice University. [3] As a freshman at Rice in 1970, he was noticed by an assistant coach for the Rice Owls football team, who saw him kicking a soccer ball at a P.E. class. [3] [7] He was invited to tryout for the team and "was shown a football and told to kick it through the uprights." [6] [8] He recalled "That was on a Tuesday. On Thursday I kicked for some more coaches and on Friday I was playing against Wharton Junior College in a JV game." [6]

Pringle's first appearance was the first American football game he had ever seen. [3] "They told me when someone yelled 'touchdown' I was supposed to go in and kick," he said. [3] He showed inexperience in his first game, however, mistiming his kickoffs and wearing backwards hip pads. [6] He later improved and set a school record for the freshman team that year with a 48-yard field goal. [9]

Pringle made the varsity team for the 1971 season but was dismissed from the team early on for disciplinary reasons. [10] By that point, he had made all five extra point attempts and tied the school record with a 48-yard field goal. [10] Afterwards, Pringle dropped out of school for a year. [3] During this time, he said that he just "piddled around" and "was living on crackers and peanut butter." [3] In 1973, he returned to Rice and was given another chance on the football team. [3] He was the team's top kicker for the 1973 and 1974 seasons, setting a school-record with a 50-yard field goal in the latter year. [3] [6] [7] Pringle concluded his career at Rice having made 27 of 28 extra point attempts and 20 of 29 field goal attempts. [6] He was invited to the Coaches All-America Game where he set the all-star game's record with a 54-yard field goal. [6] [8]

Professional career

Pringle was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 10th round (246th overall) of the 1975 NFL draft. [1] [11] He made two field goals in a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints and finished the preseason having made three of five field goal attempts. [12] He was released by the Oilers prior to the regular season, on September 2, 1975. [13] [14] He then tried out with the Detroit Lions and was signed by them on September 11. [15] The Lions signed him to be a kickoff specialist, as they already had Errol Mann for field goals and extra points. [16] Pringle appeared for the Lions in the season opener, against the Green Bay Packers, but was unable to consistently kick to the end zone and was released following the game on September 22. [14] [17] [18] Pringle later signed with the New England Patriots on April 12, 1976, but was released on July 30, ending his professional career. [14] [19] [20]

Personal life

Pringle married Ann Dillard in 1974. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Blanda</span> American football player (1927–2010)

George Frederick Blanda was an American professional football quarterback and placekicker who played in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). Blanda played 26 seasons of professional football, the most in the sport's history, and had scored more points than anyone in history at the time of his retirement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Akers</span> American football player (born 1974)

David Roy Akers is an American former professional football player who was a kicker in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. He began his career in 1998 with the Washington Redskins, after not making the main roster of the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. The following year, he signed with the Eagles, where he spent 12 seasons. Akers was also a member of the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions before retiring in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Guy</span> American football player (1949–2022)

William Ray Guy was an American professional football punter who played for the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Guy was a first-team All-American selection in 1972 as a senior for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, and is the only pure punter ever to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, when the Raiders selected him with the 23rd overall pick in the 1973 NFL draft. He won three Super Bowls with the Raiders. Guy was elected to both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014. An eight-time All-Pro, Guy is widely considered to be the greatest punter of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doak Walker</span> American football player (1927–1998)

Ewell Doak Walker II was an American professional football halfback and kicker who played with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons from 1950 to 1955. He played college football for the SMU Mustangs, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Waterfield</span> American football player and coach (1920–1983)

Robert Stanton Waterfield was an American professional football player and coach. A skilled player, he played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons, primarily as a quarterback, but also as a safety, kicker, punter and sometimes return specialist with the Cleveland / Los Angeles Rams. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. His No. 7 jersey was retired by the Rams in 1952. He was also a motion picture actor and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garo Yepremian</span> Armenian-Cypriot American football player (1944–2015)

Garabed Sarkis "Garo" Yepremian was an Armenian-Cypriot football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the Miami Dolphins. During his nine seasons with the Dolphins, Yepremian led the league in scoring in 1971, received two Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro honors, and helped the Dolphins win two Super Bowl titles. Yepremian's first championship victory in Super Bowl VII occurred as a member of the 1972 Dolphins, the only team to complete a perfect season in NFL history. He also played for the Detroit Lions, the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring in 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dutch Clark</span> American football player and coach (1906–1978)

Earl Harry "Dutch" Clark, sometimes also known as "the Flying Dutchman" and "the Old Master", was an American football player and coach, basketball player and coach, and university athletic director. He gained his greatest acclaim as a football player and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame with its inaugural class in 1951 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame with its inaugural class in 1963. He was also named in 1969 to the NFL 1930s All-Decade Team and was the first player to have his jersey retired by the Detroit Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Field goal</span> Means of scoring in gridiron football

A field goal (FG) is a means of scoring in gridiron football. To score a field goal, the team in possession of the ball must place kick, or drop kick, the ball through the goal, i.e., between the uprights and over the crossbar. The entire ball must pass through the vertical plane of the goal, which is the area above the crossbar and between the uprights or, if above the uprights, between their outside edges. American football requires that a field goal must only come during a play from scrimmage while Canadian football retains open field kicks and thus field goals may be scored at any time from anywhere on the field and by any player. The vast majority of field goals, in both codes, are placekicked. Drop-kicked field goals were common in the early days of gridiron football but are almost never attempted in modern times. A field goal may also be scored through a fair catch kick, but this is also extremely rare. In most leagues, a successful field goal awards three points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim O'Brien (American football)</span> American football player (born 1947)

James Eugene O'Brien is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker and wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). O'Brien played for the Baltimore Colts from 1970 to 1972 and the Detroit Lions in 1973. O'Brien is best remembered for kicking the game-winning field goal in the final seconds of Super Bowl V, making him the first of only three placekickers to accomplish such a feat.

Czesław Bolesław "Chester" Marcol is a Polish American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL), primarily for the Green Bay Packers from 1972 to 1980. He played college football for the Hillsdale Chargers. He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Prater</span> American football player (born 1984)

Matthew Phillip Prater is an American professional football placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal from 2013 until 2021 and holds the NFL record for most 50+ yard field goals in a career, 81 as of 2024.

Steven Richard Little was an American professional football player who was a kicker and punter in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is the third-highest drafted kicker in NFL history, behind Charlie Gogolak of Princeton and Russell Erxleben of Texas. Little was drafted higher than future NFL greats Ozzie Newsome and Todd Christensen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Strong</span> American football player

Elmer Kenneth Strong was an American professional football player who was a halfback and fullback. He also played minor league baseball. Considered one of the greatest all-around players in the early decades of the game, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1957 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 and was named to the NFL 1930s All-Decade Team.

The 1952 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 23rd season in the National Football League. The Lions won their second National Football League (NFL) championship, having won their first championship 17 years earlier in 1935. The team's co-captains were halfback Robert Hoernschemeyer and defensive tackle John Prchlik, and defensive end Jim Doran was selected as the team's most valuable player. In their third year under head coach Buddy Parker, the 1952 Lions compiled a 9–3 record during the regular season, finished in a tie with the Los Angeles Rams for first place in the NFL's National Conference, defeated the Rams in a tiebreaker game, and defeated the Cleveland Browns, 17–7, in the 1952 NFL Championship Game at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Tucker</span> American football player (born 1989)

Justin Paul Tucker is an American professional football placekicker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Often regarded as the greatest placekicker of all time, Tucker is the most accurate kicker in NFL history at 89.9 percent and holds the NFL record for longest field goal at 66 yards. He has also been named to seven Pro Bowls and five first-team All-Pros, and was a member of the Ravens team that won Super Bowl XLVII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Boswell</span> American football player (born 1991)

Christopher Lynn Boswell is an American professional football placekicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Rice and was signed by the Houston Texans in 2014 as an undrafted free agent and has also spent time with the New York Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Joseph</span> South African American football player (born 1994)

Greg Joseph is a South African–American professional football placekicker for the New York Giants 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 Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ted Pavelec</span> American football player (1918–2005)

Theodore Charles Pavelec was an American football player.

Cedric Oglesby is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker for one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Arizona Cardinals. He played college football for the South Carolina State Bulldogs and also had stints in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers. He was one of the first African-American kickers in the NFL.

Patrick Agatino Ragusa is a Venezuelan-born former American football placekicker who played for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Born to Italian immigrants in Caracas, Venezuela, he spent most of his childhood in Sicily, Italy, before moving to the United States. He played college football for the St. John's Redmen and played three games for the Jets as a replacement player in 1987. He was also a member of the semi-professional Brooklyn Mariners and Connecticut Giants and had a stint with the New York Knights of the Arena Football League (AFL).

References

  1. 1 2 "Alan Pringle Stats". Pro Football Archives.
  2. ↑ "SWC has variety of opponents" . Irving Daily News . August 1, 1971. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Owls' Pringle Finds Himself" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Associated Press. October 26, 1973. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "List of all NFL Players Born in Venezuela". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  5. ↑ "Alan Pringle Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Randall, Keith (June 20, 1975). "Pringle Primed for Stars" . Waco Tribune-Herald . p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 "Owls' Pringle Man of Action" . The Orange Leader . Associated Press. November 29, 1974. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 Cook, Dan (June 22, 1975). "East fights back, wins, 23-21" . San Antonio Express . p. 55 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Rice, 16-5" . The Times . Associated Press. November 14, 1970. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. 1 2 "Owl Kicker Dismissed" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Associated Press. October 15, 1971. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Oiler Draftee Hardeman Spouts Poetry Like Ali" . Valley Morning Star . Associated Press. January 30, 1975. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Three Oilers missing" . Corpus Christi Caller-Times . September 4, 1975. p. 47 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Pringle Boosts Oilers To Sloppy Victory" . The Orange Leader . Associated Press. August 10, 1975. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. 1 2 3 "Alan Pringle NFL Transactions". Pro Football Archives.
  15. ↑ "Lions Sign Kicker Pringle" . Lincoln Journal Star . September 12, 1975. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Lions picking through rejects to fill bench" . The Saginaw News . United Press International. September 13, 1975. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Alan Pringle Career Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  18. ↑ "Andybody Have a Kicker for Lions?" . Martinsville Bulletin . Associated Press. October 9, 1975. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Pro Transactions" . The Atlanta Journal . April 13, 1976. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ "Transactions" . The Boston Globe . July 31, 1976. p. 27 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Pringle-Dillard" . Corpus Christi Caller-Times . May 26, 1974. p. 84 – via Newspapers.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.