Matt Prater is numbered among one of those American footballers in the National Football League (NFL) who began their careers as undrafted free agents, but has gone on to prove their worth and are today honorably mentioned to be of immense value to their respective teams and the league in general. He plays as a placekicker in the NFL and here, we will find out just how good and successful he has been doing that.
Matt Prater Biography
Born on August 10, 1984, in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, Matt Prater has his full name as Mathew Phillip Prater as given to him by his parents John (father) and Stacy Prater (mother).
As he came of age, Matt was enroled at Estero High School in Estero, Florida where he quickly took to playing football to which he was exceptionally good at. In his time at the high school, he had 14 field goals, converted 56 out of 58 extra-point attempts, and was known for sending his kickoffs straight into the end zone for touchbacks. For all his efforts which didn’t go unnoticed, the kid was named in the first-team all-conference and All-Southwest Florida, second-team All-State, and second-team “Dream Team” before he graduated in 2002.
Following his high school graduation, Matt Prater made himself available to play for Central Florida University where he continued playing football as a placekicker and also a punter.
College Career
In Matt’s very first game against the Penn State University, Matt set himself out as a kid to watch with his 53-yarder against the Nittany Lions. His sophomore season became even better as he led the entire nation in punting and setting with a regular 47.9 yards per punt. His career day came when they were playing against the Virginia Tech Hokies football team in a match that saw him punt 6 times with a 55.7-yard average.
Matt Prater set a record in the 2003 college football season when he scored 11 consecutive goals against the Buffalo Bull football team of the University of New York which became the second-longest streak in the school. However, he was only able to play 9 games in the season before sustaining a leg injury which saw him off the pitch for the rest of the season. Coming into his final season, Matt got even better but for some mistakes a couple of times, the season didn’t turn out a perfect one for him.
Professional Career
Matt Prater entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent signed by the Detroit Lions in May 2006. He fought for a place in the team against veteran Jason Hanson whom he stood no chance against and was subsequently released by August 27, 2006, to become a free agent once more.
He then signed a future contract with the Miami Dolphins on January 11, 2007, and stayed with them in just enough time to be released on August 27 of the same year as fellow placekicker Jay Feely proved to be better. Next came the Atlanta Falcons where he showed signs of making it into the main team but for a few lapses that saw him get cut off again. The Miami Dolphins signed him for the second time into their practice squad around November but the Denver Broncos had better plans for him as he was signed off the Miami practice squad on December 19, 2007.
Matt Prater became of good use to himself and his new team as he emerged the starting kicker following the exit of Jason Elam to the Atlanta Falcons and the Broncos waving off Garrett Hartley in the middle of 2008. His first season, however, turned out poorly as he clocked 25/34 overall (73.5%) in the league as a kicker which saw him listed as one of the most inaccurate kickers.
Come 2010, Matt Prater’s contract was re-signed for one year in March but by December he found himself on the injury reserve of the team. He returned from injury and was quick to pick up a form. Matt was magical as he salvaged a win for his team in a match against the Chicago Bears; first, with three seconds to the end of the game, he kicked a 59-yard field goal and later a 51-yard field goal to win the game in overtime 13-10.
Matt maintained his impressive form with the Broncos throughout the time he was with them. He resigned in a three-year, $9 million contract extension which saw him with the team through 2017. By the end of the contract, Matt also resigned another three-year contract extension with the Lions just to tell you how priceless he is to them.
Matt Prater Wife
Matt is married to Kati Prater who he was reported to have met at an “ugly sweater party” during Christmas. Her name is Kati Rene Stark and at the time they met, they were both single but no chemistry kicked off between them.
However, following their meeting again at Dierks Bentley concert, at a time when they were both single, the two decided to get closer with each other and that closeness led to an April 15, 2015 marriage and fulfilling life for the NFL player.
They have since had children in their family; daughter Ava Jean Prater and son Pax Wallace. Of recent, a baby girl was added to the family sometime in July 2018. They are still together as husband and wife and with no rumors of rancor between them.
Height, Weight, Body Stats
Matt Prater stands at a height of 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) at which he weighs 201 lb (91 kg). His other body stats like his chest, biceps, and waist measurement have not been disclosed at this time.
