Tom Birney

Thomas Francis Birney (born August 11, 1956) is a Scottish-born American former professional football player. A placekicker, he played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and was also a member of the New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL, and the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League.

Early life Birney was born on August 11, 1956, in Bellshill, Scotland. The son of a soccer player, he moved to the U.S. at age six, settling in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Bishop Borgess High School in Michigan and played football as a placekicker and defensive end. He was regarded as one of the top kickers in the state and made several game-winning field goals at Bishop Borgess, being nicknamed "Thunderfoot".

Birney played for the Spartans from 1974 to 1977, earning a varsity letter each year. As a junior in 1976, he was considered one of the best kickoff specialists nationally. Although a top kickoff specialist, he was regarded as one of the worst punters, having an average of 38.1 yards per punt.

Professional career After going unselected in the 1978 NFL draft, Birney signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent. He was used in preseason at punter but was released on August 17, 1978. While a free agent, Birney continued practicing his kicking, and on May 17, 1979, he signed with the Green Bay Packers. When the Packers' normal kicker, Chester Marcol, got injured mid-season, the team re-signed Birney on November 7, 1979. He made every extra point attempt after that and in Week 16, an 18–13 win over the Detroit Lions, Birney made four of five field goal attempts, tying the Packers single-game record for field goals made at the time. Later in the year, Marcol was released and the Packers re-signed Birney, with him playing his first game in 1980 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 12. He ended up playing in seven games during the 1980 season, converting 14 of 18 extra point attempts and six of 12 field goals.