Gay was born on March 15, 1994, in Orem, Utah. He played soccer and football at Orem High School, earning first-team honors in both sports.[1] Gay was the first player from Utah to attend the U-17 USA Men's National Team residency program. After graduating in 2012, Gay played two seasons of soccer for the Utah Valley Wolverines.[2]
College career
In 2017, Gay transferred to the Utah Utes football team as a walk-on, becoming the school's seventh consensus All-American.[3] He also won the 2017 Lou Groza Award, being the first Ute to win the award as well as being the school's second-ever finalist.[4] Gay also won the 2017 Vlade Award.[5] That season, he led the nation in field goals and set a new Pac-12 Conference record with 30 field goals.[6] In 2018, Gay set school records for consecutive field goals and field goals in a game, receiving first-team All-Pac-12 honors.[1]
Gay made his professional debut in the Buccaneers' regular season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. He converted two extra points and one field goal in the loss.[10] Two weeks later against the New York Giants, Gay missed two field goals, an extra point, and had an extra point blocked.[11]
On September 5, 2020, Gay was waived by the Buccaneers.[12]
Indianapolis Colts
On September 15, 2020, Gay was signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad.[13] In a roster move, he was released on November 6,[14] but was re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[15]
Los Angeles Rams
On November 17, 2020, Gay was signed off the Colts' practice squad by the Los Angeles Rams to replace injured kicker Kai Forbath.[16] During Week 11 against his former team, the Buccaneers, on Monday Night Football, Gay was a perfect 3 for 3 on extra point attempts and made two of his three field goal attempts, including the game winner late in the fourth quarter, in the 27–24 victory.[17]
Gay in 2022
In 2021, Gay converted 32 of 34 field goal attempts and 48 of 49 points after touchdown, and was named to his first Pro Bowl. In an NFC divisional playoff game, also against the Buccaneers, he went 3 for 3 on extra-point kicks and converted three of his four field goal tries, including the game winner from 30 yards out as time expired in a 30–27 victory, which sent the Rams to the NFC Championship Game.[18] He won his first Super Bowl title when the Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI, converting a 41-yard field goal in the third quarter as well as two points after touchdowns.[19]
In the 2022 season, Gay was reportedly fined $5,000 due to his pants not covering his knees during a 31-10 opening game loss to the Buffalo Bills in which he made a 57-yard field goal to end the half.[21] In week 14, Gay made the game-winning extra point to seal Baker Mayfield's comeback over the Las Vegas Raiders.[22]
Indianapolis Colts (second stint)
On March 17, 2023, Gay signed a four-year, $22.5 million contract with the Colts.[23] At the time of the signing, Gay's contract was the largest free-agent contract for a kicker in NFL history.[24] During Week 3 of the 2023 season, Gay became the first kicker in NFL history to hit four 50+ yard field goals in one game, converting from 54, 53, 53, and 53 yards with the last one being an overtime game winner in the 22–19 upset victory.[25][26]
On April 10, 2025, Gay was released by the Colts.[27]
Washington Commanders
On April 29, 2025, Gay signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders for $5 million with $4.25 million guaranteed.[28] At that point in time, the amount guaranteed to Gay was the highest guaranteed on a one-year contract to a kicker in NFL history.[29]
In his Commanders debut Gay made one of three attempts in the Week 2 loss against the Green Bay Packers; missing at 58 yards and 52 yards and making it at 51 yards.[30][31] During a narrow Week 6 25–24 loss to the Chicago Bears, Gay made all three of his extra point attempts but was one for two on field goal attempts.[32][33] In the first NFL International game in Madrid against the Miami Dolphins, he was two for four on his field goals attempts; missing at 51 and 56 yards.[34] The latter field goal miss was in the fourth quarter and would have given the Commanders the lead with 10 seconds remaining, but the game went into overtime with the Dolphins winning 16–13.[35] Gay was released by the Commanders on November 17.[36]
Most 50+ yard field goals in one game: 4 (September 24, 2023, vs. Baltimore Ravens)
Buccaneers franchise records
Longest field goal by a rookie kicker - 58 yards (September 29, 2019, vs. Los Angeles Rams)
Most successful field goal attempts by a rookie kicker - 27 (tied with Martin Gramatica)
Most successful extra point attempts by a rookie kicker - 43
Most points scored by a rookie kicker - 124
Personal life
Gay is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served a mission in Houston, although it was cut short due to depression.[38] Gay wears the initials "P.O." on a wristband to every game he plays, in honor of his high school teammate Parker Overly, who was killed in a car accident in 2017.[39]
Gay and his wife, Millie, have three children: Oliver, Oaks, and Cosette.[40]
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