Olindo Mare

Olindo Franco Mare oh-LIN-doh MAR-ay; (born June 6, 1973) is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at MacMurray College and Syracuse. Mare, who was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1999, has also played for the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears.

Mare attended Cooper City High School (Cooper City, Florida), lettering in football and soccer. Olindo Mare graduated from Cooper City High School in 1991. Olindo played at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois and finished his college career for the Syracuse Orange.

Mare was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996, but he was released before the season.

Mare played the first 10 seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins.

In 2001, Mare attempted his first, and only rushing attempt on a fake field goal against the Carolina Panthers. He was stopped for a five-yard loss.

On October 10, 2004, when Mare was out with a calf injury, wide receiver Wes Welker replaced him and became only the second player in NFL history to return a kickoff and a punt, kick an extra point and a field goal, and make a tackle in a single game.

During the 2005 season, he made 25 of 30 field goals, averaged 67.0 yards per kickoff, and had 16 touchbacks in 73 kicks. Mare also recorded his first career fumble recovery during the season on an onside kick.

On April 3, 2007, the Dolphins traded Mare to the New Orleans Saints for a 2007 sixth-round draft pick. He inherited the position from kicker John Carney, who was released from the team a day after.