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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 25, 2014

DAVID AKERS RETIRING AFTER 15 SEASONS IN THE LEAGUE

Six-time NFL Pro Bowl kicker David Akers announced today his retirement from the
league.
Detroit, Michigan, April 25, 2014 Six-time NFL Pro Bowl kicker David Akers announced
today that he is retiring after 15 seasons in the league. Akers, kicker for the Detroit Lions, got a
sports hernia during his 2012 season with the 49ers and knew he would never play to his full
potential again.
Akers attended Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Kentucky before signing to play college
ball for the University of Louisville. During his four-year college career, Akers kicked a schoolrecord 36 field goals (with a long of 51 yards against Texas A&M University), and ranks second
in Louisville's all-time scoring list, with 219 points.
After college, Akers spent time trying to make the team with the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina
Panthers. Between 1997 and 1998 Akers was an undrafted free agent until finally getting signed
by the Washington Redskins in 1998. Only playing one game, Akers made two extra points but
missed two field goal attempts of 48+ years and was waved during the 1999 season.
After Washington cut Akers, the Philadelphia Eagles claimed him off waivers and allocated him
to NFL Europe. A solid season with the Berlin Thunder helped him earn the kicking job for the
Eagles in 2000. Due to hard work and dedication, Akers turned out to be one of the biggest
special team surprises in the NFL that season. Akers earned the NFC Special Teams Player of
the Month award in November 2000 with 29 out of 33 field goals (an 87.9% success rate) and a
team-record of 121 points.
Akers' best statistical season was 2002 when he connected on 30 of 34 field goals (88.2%) and
scored a team-record 133 points. His success lead him to six Pro Bowls in 2001, 2002, 2004,
2009, 2010, and 2011.
On July 29, 2011, Akers signed with the San Francisco 49ers with a $9 million, three-year
contract. During his time with the 49ers, Akers broke the 49ers record for most points scored in
a season along with the all-time record for field goals in a season.
On January 1, 2012, Akers broke the NFL record for most points by a kicker in a single season
against the St. Louis Rams; he finished with 166 points. In this game, he also extended his NFL
record for most field goals made in a single season, finishing with 44, and threw for a
touchdown on a fake field goal. Akers made his sixth Pro Bowl at the end of the season.
On March 6, 2013, after a devastatingly close loss to the Baltimore Ravens with a score of
34-31, the 49ers released Akers after two seasons.

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On April 6, 2013, Akers signed with the Detroit Lions. However, due to a sports injury, Akers
announced today that he will be retiring from the game.
Akers will now focus on his full time ministry, David Akers Ministries. He will continue telling his
story about leadership and not giving up at events all over the country. Akers is currently
working his first book, Winning Inspire of, which is due out in November 2015.
Akers will reside in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and three kids and is looking forward to
whatever comes next.

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