First Pitch Friday - Robbie Gould

The Cubs seem to be pretty good about cross-promoting the other Chicago area sports when it comes to throwing out a first pitch and/or conducting the 7th inning stretch. I've already featured former Cubs, Bears, Fire, and Bandits.  I have Bulls and Blackhawks waiting in the wings but today is another Chicago Bears player.

No, that's not Ben Affleck

Before making the card, I didn't know that much about him other than he was the kicker for the Bears. But be honest, how many of you know much about any kicker? It has to be a tough job, lots of pressure, with the opportunity to be a hero or goat for your team at any given time.

A quick glance at his Wiki page shows that he connected for 26 consecutive field goals in 2006 for a new Bears record. The NFL record is 42 (Mike Vanderjagt) but it is still pretty impressive to have your team record. Gould is also tied with the Vikings kicker Blair Walsh for the longest active streak for consecutive field goals made over 50 yards which stands at 10. The all-time record is 11. Looks like we have a 1998 Sammy Sosa-Mark McGwire style race on our hands!! Who's going to tie it and break it first?!?!

Gould's career long for field goals is 57 yards, which is also the Bears record. That personal record always seems to shortchange kickers in my opinion. I have no idea if he's missed any from farther away but the team has to be in a certain position to even make the attempt from that distance. Usually field goals of that length are attempted with time running out in the 2nd quarter or end of the game because if the kicker misses, you don't want to give the other team fairly decent field position. I'm going to have to look to see if Gould has missed any longer.

*EDIT* As far as I can tell, Gould has not attempted anything longer than 57 yards in a regular season game. He is 13-17 in 50+ yard situations with his 4 misses in the 52-54 yard range.