Ola Kimrin

Last updated

Ola Kimrin
Ola Kimrin, 20211031 02.jpg
Ola Kimrin, 2021
Nordic Storm
Position Placekicker
Roster statusInactive
Personal information
Born (1972-02-29) February 29, 1972 (age 53)
Malmö, Sweden
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
College UTEP
NFL draft 1998: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Stats at Pro Football Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Ola Kimrin
Medal record
Men's American football
Representing Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
World Championship
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1999 Italy Team Competition

Ola Fredrik Andreas Kimrin (born February 29, 1972) is a Swedish American football placekicker who is a member of the Nordic Storm of the European League of Football (ELF).

Contents

Background and college

Kimrin kicked for the Limhamn Griffins club team from 1995 to 1996. He played soccer for the Vintrie IK club team in Sweden from ages 5–20. Kimrin received a scholarship at the University of Texas at El Paso in 1996 and played three seasons for the Miners. He played 23 career games, primarily serving as kickoff specialist, and was five-of-eight on field goal attempts in 1997.

In 1999, he played on the Swedish national team that won third place (bronze) at the 1999 IFAF World Championship in Italy, the inaugural IFAF World Championship.

Professional career

After going unselected in the 1998 NFL draft, Kimrin played for NFL Europe in 2001 and 2002. In the 2002 season, he led NFL Europe kickers in scoring (57 points) for the Frankfurt Galaxy, converting 12-of-24 field goals (long of 52) and 20-of-22 extra point attempts. On July 24, 2002, Kimrin signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos. [1] On August 29, he kicked a 65-yard field goal in the final preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. [2] Despite the kick having the potential to eclipse the NFL record of 63 yards, at that time shared by Tom Dempsey (1970) and fellow Bronco Jason Elam (1998), it was in preseason and not officially recognized by the NFL. The potential record also would have survived the later kicks of 63 yards by Sebastian Janikowski, David Akers, Graham Gano, and Matt Prater (64 yards on 8 December 2013), all of which were surpassed by Justin Tucker (66 yards, for the record on 26 September 2021). More than 20 years later, Brandon Aubrey (66 yards, 2024) and Cam Little (70 yards, 2025) would surpass Kimrin's unofficial preseason record. [3] [4] Kimrin was released at the conclusion of camp in favor of veteran Jason Elam. [5]

He then competed for a job with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003 during training camp, but lost out to Billy Cundiff. Prior to the 2004 NFL season, Kimrin spent the 2004 NFL Europe campaign with the Cologne Centurions, converting 4-of-4 field goal attempts and all 21 extra point attempts, good for 33 points on the season.

On July 31, 2004, he signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins. He was 4-of-4 on field goals during preseason, but lost the job to veteran John Hall. On October 16, Kimrin was re-signed by Washington after Hall suffered a hamstring injury in practice, the former landing in Sweden by the time the team asked for him to return. [6] [7] Kimrin played in five regular season games, converting 6-of-10 field goals and all six extra point attempts, before he was released on November 27. On March 4, 2005, Kimrin was signed to the Tennessee Titans and released August 24. In 2006, he signed with the Miami Dolphins, but was released on August 29 and retired afterward. [5]

Post-NFL career

He is now retired and spends time with his family, but has participated as a coach for the Swedish national team and played in exhibition games in Europe.

References

  1. "Ola Kimrin Pro Football Stats, Position, College, Draft, Transactions". www.profootballarchives.com. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  2. Archives, L. A. Times (August 30, 2002). "Kimrin Gives Broncos Field Goal of 65 Yards". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  3. "Cowboys' Brandon Aubrey breaks NFL preseason record for longest field goal that had stood for 22 years". CBSSports.com. August 19, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  4. "Has Cam Little's 70-yard FG convinced the Jaguars to let him try again?". ESPN.com. August 13, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Spencer, Sheldon (November 4, 2010). "Living with 63 yards -- and beyond". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  6. "Swede success: Kimrin is NFL's second player from Sweden". www.patriots.com. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  7. "Kimrin Signed...By Way of Sweden". www.commanders.com. Retrieved September 28, 2025.