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Shayne Graham
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Michael Shayne Graham (born December 9, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies. He made his professional debut in May 2000 with the Richmond Speed of the Arena Football League's now-defunct developmental league, AF2.[1]

Key Information

His first NFL contract was with the New Orleans Saints where he signed as an undrafted free agent in 2000. A journeyman most of his career, he played for 14 different NFL franchises over 9 seasons, excluding the 7 seasons he spent with the Cincinnati Bengals. With the Bengals, he made the Pro Bowl in 2005. In the latter part of his career, he was signed as an injury replacement or to provide competition during training camps for a number of teams.

In 2018, Graham was hired as a special teams intern at Michigan State University.

Early life

[edit]

Graham attended Pulaski County High School in Dublin, Virginia, graduating in 1996. He holds many of the school's kicking records including most field goals in career (28, from 1992 to 1995), most field goals in a season (15, 1995), and longest field goal, a 54-yarder against Anacostia in 1995.

College career

[edit]

Graham played college football at Virginia Tech and was named to the first-team All-Big East Conference in all four seasons. In 1999, as a senior, Graham earned Big East Special Teams Player of the Year honors after leading the conference and breaking the school's single-season scoring record with 107 points on 56-of-57 extra points and 17-of-22 field goals. He was 68-of-93 (73.1%) in field goals for his Virginia Tech career and set a Virginia Tech and Big East record with 97 consecutive successful extra points. He left Virginia Tech as the all-time scoring leader in school history and Big East history with 371 points. His contributions at Tech led to his induction in the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame.

Professional career

[edit]

Richmond Speed

[edit]

Following a tryout with the Cleveland Browns, it was announced in May 2000, that Graham would play in two games for the Richmond Speed of the AF2, and that he would use the time to practice for a future NFL tryout with the Tennessee Titans.[2] As it turned out Graham played in only one game for the Speed, a 60 - 21 loss against the Arkansas Twisters on May 26, 2000.[3] During the game, he missed two field goals, from 36 and 44-yards, and two of three extra points.[4] After the game, Graham told the Roanoke Times: "It was a big adjustment. In the arena game, the holder puts the ball down, then the kicker starts forward. I've always been accustomed to starting with the snap. My rhythm was all messed up."[4] Graham left the team and was replaced by special teams coach Dave DeArmas, who unretired and played in the following week's game against the Jacksonville Tomcats.[4]

New Orleans Saints (first stint)

[edit]

After going undrafted in the 2000 NFL draft, Graham signed with the New Orleans Saints on June 30, 2000.[5] Graham was 1-for-1 on extra points and did not attempt a field goal during the preseason. He was waived on August 22.[6]

Seattle Seahawks

[edit]

Graham was signed by the Seattle Seahawks on April 27, 2001.[7] He was 6-for-6 on extra points in the preseason but had his only field goal attempt blocked.[8] He was waived on September 2.[9] On October 30, Graham was invited back for a tryout after kicker Rian Lindell missed two field goals in a 24–20 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Graham did not get a contract and Lindell was retained as the Seahawks' kicker for the remainder of the 2001 season.[8]

Buffalo Bills

[edit]

The Buffalo Bills signed Graham on November 27, 2001, to replace rookie kicker Jake Arians; Arians had missed several key field goals and a crucial extra point over the course of the season.[10] Graham played in the Bills' final six games, going 6-for-8 on field goals. He was released on April 23, 2002, and replaced by Mike Hollis.[11]

Seattle Seahawks (second stint)

[edit]

Graham was re-signed by the Seahawks on May 13, 2002.[12] He began training camp with Seattle before being waived on August 13.[13]

Carolina Panthers

[edit]

Graham signed with the Carolina Panthers on September 28, 2002, after an injury to veteran John Kasay. Originally, Jon Hilbert replaced Kasay; however, after missing two field goals during the Week 3 game versus the Minnesota Vikings, Hilbert was replaced by Graham.[14] The following week, in a game against the Green Bay Packers and after being on the team for only two days, Graham missed a 24-yard field goal inches to the right with 13 seconds remaining that would have tied the score.[14] The Panthers ended up losing the game 17–14.[14] In total he played in 11 of the Panthers' final 13 games, leading the team in scoring with 60 points.[15] He was 13-of-18 on field goals and averaged 66 yards on his five kickoffs.[15]

After spending the 2003 preseason with Carolina, Graham was waived on August 31, right before the season began.[16]

Cincinnati Bengals

[edit]

The Cincinnati Bengals claimed Graham off waivers on September 1, 2003. With the Bengals in 2003, Graham played in all 16 games and set a franchise record by making 88% (22-of-25) of his field goals.

In the following offseason, Graham was tendered a restricted free agent offer sheet by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the offer was matched by the Bengals.[17] In 2004, Graham narrowly missed matching his previous season's accuracy mark, finishing the year 27-of-31 (87.1%) on field goals. In 2005, Graham made 28-of-32 field goals (87.5%), scored a franchise record 131 points, was selected to be the kicker for the AFC Pro Bowl squad, and helped the Bengals record their first winning season since 1990. Graham was the first kicker in franchise history ever to be selected to play in a Pro Bowl.

In 2005, Graham set the NFL record for tackles by a kicker with 11 combined (7 plus 4 assists.)

In 2006, Graham finished fourth in the AFC with 115 points and was 25-of-30 (83.3%) on field goals on the season.

In 2007, Graham missed his first field goal attempt of the season (a 53-yard attempt). But after that, he set a Bengals record by kicking 21 consecutive field goals without a miss over the season's first 10 games. This included a game against the Baltimore Ravens where he set a franchise record by kicking 7 field goals (the second highest total in NFL history).[18] His streak came to an end when he missed a 26-yard attempt in Week 12. By the end of the season, Graham set new franchise records for field goals in a season (31) and field goal percentage (91.2).

Graham finished the 2008 season with an 87.5 field goal percentage, going 21-of-24. In 2009, Graham went 23-of-28 in the regular season, his lowest percentage — 82.1 — in his Bengals career. In the Wild Card playoffs on January 9, 2010, Graham missed two field goals in the Bengals' 24–14 loss to the New York Jets, including a 28-yard attempt that would have cut the score to 24–17 late in the fourth quarter. After the game, Marvin Lewis commented on Graham's missed field goals stating "It is a shame, and it killed us. Unfortunately kicking is mostly a one-man operation. I know Shayne feels worse about it than anyone. Those points obviously make a big difference."[19]

He was not re-signed as an unrestricted free agent following the 2009 season.

Baltimore Ravens (first stint)

[edit]

In June 2010, Graham signed a 1-year-deal with the Baltimore Ravens worth up to $2.5 million. Graham was released during final cuts before the season started in favor of Billy Cundiff.[20]

New York Giants

[edit]

On October 16, 2010, the New York Giants signed Graham due to an injury to kicker Lawrence Tynes.[21] Graham only played in one game for the Giants and did not attempt a field goal. He did, however, make all four of his extra point attempts. On October 18, just two days after being signed, the Giants released Graham.[22]

New England Patriots

[edit]

On November 10, 2010, the New England Patriots signed Graham after an injury to kicker Stephen Gostkowski. In his first game, in Week 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Graham was 2-for-2 on field goals but missed one of four extra point attempts on the night. In eight games, Graham finished the 2010 season 12-for-12 on field goals, and 35-for-37 on extra points. In the playoffs, Graham was 2-for-2 in the Patriots' loss to the New York Jets.

Washington Redskins

[edit]

On August 1, 2011, the Washington Redskins signed Graham to provide training camp competition for Graham Gano.[23] After missing two field goals in a pre-season game, Graham was released.[24]

Dallas Cowboys

[edit]

On August 23, 2011, the Dallas Cowboys signed Graham due to a hip injury to David Buehler, but did not make the roster after being passed on the depth chart by rookie Dan Bailey.[25]

Miami Dolphins

[edit]

The Miami Dolphins signed Graham on November 19, 2011, after an injury to Dan Carpenter.[26] Graham was waived November 30.[27]

Baltimore Ravens (second stint)

[edit]

The Baltimore Ravens signed Graham on December 21, 2011, to back up Billy Cundiff, who had a calf injury throughout most of December.[28] He made both field goal attempts and both extra point attempts in his short stint with the team. Graham was released on January 3.

Houston Texans

[edit]

The Texans signed Graham on May 7, 2012, to battle rookie Randy Bullock for the position.[29] In August, Graham was named the team's kicker after Bullock went on injured reserve.[30] On January 13, 2013, Graham set his career longest field goal after he made a 55-yard field goal against the New England Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs.[31]

Cleveland Browns

[edit]

On April 15, 2013, the Cleveland Browns signed Graham to replace Phil Dawson who left as a free agent.[32] On August 31, he was surprisingly released, even after making all of his pre-season attempts, leaving the Browns with no kicker on the roster days before the season began.[33]

Pittsburgh Steelers

[edit]

On September 9, 2013, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Graham due to a hamstring injury to Shaun Suisham.[34] Graham was on the roster for one game, but was inactive due to Suisham's ability to play through his injury. Since he was not needed, Graham was released by the Steelers on September 17.[35]

New Orleans Saints (second stint)

[edit]

Graham was re-signed by the New Orleans Saints on December 17, 2013, to replace Garrett Hartley. Hartley had been cut from the Saints after he had struggled in the 2012 and 2013 seasons and the final straw came when he missed two close range field goals in a game against the St. Louis Rams. On January 4, 2014, Graham went 4-for-4 including a 32-yard game winner as time expired to propel the Saints past the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round of the 2014 playoffs.[36] However, the following week during the divisional round game he missed two field goals versus the Seattle Seahawks.[37] On his first miss, from 45 yards, holder (and backup quarterback) Luke McCown had the laces facing the wrong way.[38] Strong winds also contributed to his poor performance.[38]

On February 14, 2014, the Saints re-signed Graham to a new one-year contract with a base salary of $955,000.[39] In a surprise move, Graham along with kicker Derek Dimke were released as part of the final roster cuts on August 30, 2014, leaving the Saints with no kickers on their roster after the reduction to 53-players.[40] A few days later on September 2, it was announced that the Saints had waived quarterback Ryan Griffin to make room for the re-signing of Graham to their 53-man roster.[41]

Graham was selected as NFC special teams player of the month for October 2014, for making all nine field goals and all nine extra points he tried during the month.[42] He also scored 14 points during the October 26, 2014 victory over the Green Bay Packers.[42]

After Graham missed a 42-yard field goal during the Saints' loss to the Carolina Panthers on December 7, 2014, the Saints tried out kickers Garrett Hartley, Derek Dimke and Zach Hocker on December 10, 2014.[43] However, in the end the Saints decided to stick with Graham as their kicker.[43]

On February 12, 2015, Graham was re-signed to a one-year contract with the Saints.[44] He was released on May 19.[45]

Atlanta Falcons

[edit]

On November 26, 2015, Graham signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a replacement kicker, after Matt Bryant injured his leg.[46] On August 20, 2016, Graham was re-signed by the Falcons.[47] On September 3, Graham was released by the Falcons.[48]

On February 6, 2017, Graham announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 39 to pursue jobs as a special teams coach. Graham signed an unofficial ceremonial contract on February 21, to retire as a Bengal.[49]

Coaching career

[edit]

Central Michigan

[edit]

In March 2017, Graham was hired as a special teams coach at Central Michigan University[50]

Michigan State

[edit]

In June 2018, Graham was hired at Michigan State University as a special teams intern.[51]

Florida

[edit]

Graham was hired at the University of Florida in 2020 as a special teams quality control coach.[52]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Year Team GP Field Goals Extra Points Total Points
FGM FGA FG% <20 20−29 30−39 40−49 50+ Lng XPM XPA XP%
2001 BUF 6 6 8 75.0 0−0 4−4 0−0 2−4 0−0 41 7 7 100.0 25
2002 CAR 11 13 18 72.2 1−1 2−4 2−3 6−8 2−2 50 21 21 100.0 60
2003 CIN 16 22 25 88.0 0−0 5−5 10−10 7−8 0−2 48 40 40 100.0 106
2004 CIN 16 27 31 87.1 0−0 7−7 10−12 7−8 3−4 53 41 41 100.0 122
2005 CIN 16 28 32 87.5 0−0 11−11 10−11 7−9 0−1 49 47 47 100.0 131
2006 CIN 16 25 30 83.3 0−0 9−9 8−9 6−8 2−4 51 40 42 95.2 115
2007 CIN 16 31 34 91.2 1−1 11−12 13−13 6−7 0−1 48 37 37 100.0 130
2008 CIN 14 21 24 87.5 1−1 5−5 6−7 9−11 0−0 45 15 15 100.0 78
2009 CIN 16 23 28 82.1 0−0 11−12 8−10 3−3 2−4 53 28 29 96.6 97
2010 NYG 1 0 0 0.0 0−0 0−0 0−0 0−0 0−0 0 4 4 100.0 4
NE 8 12 12 100.0 1−1 5−5 5−5 1−1 0−0 41 35 37 94.6 71
2011 MIA 2 4 5 80.0 0−0 4−4 0−0 0−1 0−0 28 6 6 100.0 18
BAL 1 2 2 100.0 0−0 0−0 0−0 2−2 0−0 48 2 2 100.0 8
2012 HOU 16 31 38 81.6 1−1 8−8 11−11 7−9 4−9 51 45 45 100.0 138
2013 NO 2 2 2 100.0 0−0 1−1 0−0 1−1 0−0 40 7 7 100.0 13
2014 NO 16 19 22 86.4 0−0 6−9 9−9 3−5 1−2 50 46 47 97.9 103
2015 ATL 5 11 13 84.6 0−0 2−2 4−4 2−4 3−3 54 8 8 100.0 41
Career 178 277 324 85.5 5−5 90−94 96−104 69−89 17−32 54 429 435 99.1 1260

Bengals franchise records

[edit]
  • Most field goals in a season (31)
  • Most field goals in a game (7)
  • Highest field goal percentage in a season (91.2)
  • Highest field goal percentage in a career (86.8)[53]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Shayne Graham

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Shayne Graham (born December 9, 1977) is an American former professional football placekicker who played for ten () teams over 15 seasons from 2001 to 2015. Born in , Graham attended , where he played before entering the as an undrafted free agent with the in 2001. His career included stints with the (2002), (2003–2009), (2010), (2010), (2011), (2011), Houston Texans (2012), (2013–2014), and (2015). Graham's most notable period came with the Bengals, where he established himself as a reliable kicker and earned a selection along with Second-Team honors in 2005 after converting 28 of 31 attempts that season. Over his entire tenure, he appeared in 178 games, making 277 of 324 s (85.5% accuracy) and 429 of 435 extra points, accumulating 1,260 total points—ranking him among the league's productive kickers of his era. His longest was 55 yards. Following his playing career, Graham entered coaching, starting as a quality control coach for special teams at in 2017. He then served as a special teams intern in 2018 and later analyst in 2019 at , while also holding a special teams quality control role at the from 2020 to 2021. In 2022, Graham founded Elite Winning Solutions, a Grand Rapids-based firm providing specialized training, consulting, and mental performance coaching for kickers, punters, special teams units, and athletes across sports.

Early life

Childhood and family

Shayne Graham was born on December 9, 1977, in , a small city in the New River Valley region known for its ties to University. Growing up in nearby within Pulaski County, Graham's family had deep local roots in , where the community emphasized outdoor activities and school sports. His parents, Thomas Graham, an Army veteran and combat engineer, and Jamie Graham Fortier, fostered an athletic environment that influenced his early development. The family included his sister, Michelle, and the siblings inherited their parents' athleticism, with both Thomas and Jamie having backgrounds in . Graham's early exposure to sports came through family and community involvement, as he participated in multiple activities from a young age. His father played a pivotal role by introducing him to football kicking in the , simply tossing him a football to practice with at home. This casual start sparked his interest, though Graham initially excelled more in soccer, which he considered his best sport during elementary and middle school years. Community opportunities in Radford and Pulaski County provided further outlets, including training sessions with local coach Pat O’Morrow, a former record-setting kicker at Radford High School and Ohio State, whom Graham worked with after soccer practices for three years leading up to . No major relocations marked Graham's childhood; he remained in the tight-knit area, where family support and regional sports programs helped nurture his growing passion for football. By eighth grade, this culminated in his first organized football experience in Radford, solidifying the sport as his primary focus amid the diverse athletic influences from his upbringing.

High school career

Shayne Graham attended Pulaski County High School in , , where he graduated in 1996. Growing up, he primarily played soccer, which he considered his best , before transitioning to football kicking training around age 11 under the guidance of a former collegiate kicker. He began organized football in eighth grade and became the starting kicker for the Cougars' for four years, from 1992 to 1995. During his high school career, Graham set multiple state and kicking records while serving as the team's placekicker and punter. He established records with 38 career field goals and 165 career extra points, rankings that placed him second and fifth nationally at the time, respectively. In his senior year of , he made 17 field goals, another state record and the fifth-most nationally that season. His longest field goal was a 55-yard kick, a record, and he became the only kicker ever named Timesland Offensive Player of the Year by the Roanoke Times. Graham was also recognized as a Parade All-American. One of most memorable performances came in the state semifinals, where he drilled a 22-yard game-winning against heavy 40 mph wind gusts, securing a victory that propelled Pulaski County to its first state championship appearance beyond the semifinals since the and ultimately to the Class AAA Division 6 title. Graham's standout high school performances attracted early recruitment interest, with scholarship offers arriving by his junior year from schools including , , and . Ranked as one of the top kicking prospects nationally for the class of 1996, he committed to in December 1995 after an official visit, citing the program's potential for early playing time and contention as key factors; he subsequently canceled visits to other schools.

College career

Virginia Tech

Shayne Graham enrolled at Virginia Tech in 1996 after being recruited as one of the top high school kickers from Pulaski County High School in Virginia. As a true freshman in 1996, Graham won the starting placekicker position and held it for all four seasons, becoming a key contributor to the Hokies' special teams without any redshirt or walk-on period. His role involved handling both field goals and extra points, often in high-pressure Big East Conference matchups. He set a Virginia Tech record with 97 consecutive extra points made during his career. Graham's performance improved steadily over his career. In 1996, he converted 10 of 16 s (62.5%) and all 39 extra points. As a in 1997, he achieved a career-high 82.6% field goal accuracy (19 of 23) while making 35 of 36 extra points. His junior year (1998) saw 22 of 32 field goals (68.8%) and a perfect 37 of 37 on extra points. In 1999, he made 17 of 22 field goals (77.3%) and 56 of 57 extra points, leading the NCAA in extra-point attempts. Overall, Graham appeared in 44 games from 1996 to 1999, compiling 68 field goals out of 93 attempts for a 73.1% success rate and 167 extra points out of 169 (98.8%), totaling 371 points and ranking third in Big East history. He led the Big East in scoring each year from 1997 to 1999 and set records for career field goals (68) and points scored. Among his notable performances, Graham hit a 44-yard game-winning as time expired against in 1999, securing a 22-20 victory that preserved the Hokies' undefeated season and path to the game. Earlier that season, he contributed three s in a comeback win over after the Hokies trailed 10-0, as the team prevailed 43-10.
SeasonGames PlayedField Goals Made/Attempts (%)Extra Points Made/Attempts (%)Points Scored
19961110/16 (62.5)39/39 (100.0)69
19971119/23 (82.6)35/36 (97.2)92
19981122/32 (68.8)37/37 (100.0)103
19991117/22 (77.3)56/57 (98.2)107
Career4468/93 (73.1)167/169 (98.8)371

Awards and achievements

During his four seasons at from 1996 to 1999, Shayne Graham earned first-team All-Big East honors each year as the conference's premier . In 1999, as a senior, he was named Big East Special Teams Player of the Year, recognizing his leadership in the unit during an undefeated regular season. Graham set multiple Virginia Tech records that underscored his reliability and productivity. He holds the school career marks for points scored (371), field goals made (68), and extra points made (167), achievements that established him as the Hokies' all-time leading scorer upon graduation. In 1999, he made 17 field goals and 56 extra points. These performances also ranked him third in Big East career scoring with 371 points. Graham contributed to three bowl games, showcasing his clutch ability in postseason play. As a sophomore in the 1997 against , he connected on a 40-yard in a 42-3 loss, preventing a . In the 1998 victory over (38-7), his 44-yard helped secure a lead. His postseason effort in the , the against Florida State, included a 23-yard in a 46-29 defeat. Graham's consistent scoring was instrumental in Virginia Tech's success, including championships in 1996 and 1999, the latter capping an 11-0 regular season that earned the Hokies their first BCS bowl berth. His efforts helped elevate the team's standing, finishing ranked No. 2 nationally in 1999.

Professional career

Early stints (2001–2002)

Following his college career at , where he set school records for field goals and helped draw professional interest as an undrafted , Shayne Graham entered professional football in 2000. He signed with the on June 30 as an undrafted rookie but was released on August 22 prior to the regular season, without appearing in any games. Graham made his professional debut earlier that year in May 2000 with the Richmond Speed of the , the developmental minor league of the , appearing in one game during the league's inaugural season. AF2 provided a platform for emerging talent in indoor football, emphasizing high-scoring play on a smaller field, though specific performance details from Graham's brief stint are limited. In 2001, Graham signed with the Seattle Seahawks on April 27 for training camp but was waived on September 2 as the team finalized its roster. Later that season, on November 27, he joined the Buffalo Bills to fill in for injured rookie kicker Jake Arians, appearing in six games and converting 6 of 8 field goals (75%) along with all 7 extra points for 25 points total. His efforts provided stability to the Bills' special teams during a late-season push, though he was released on April 24, 2002, as the team pursued other options. Graham returned to the Seahawks on May 13, 2002, but was released again on August 13 after preseason. On September 28, amid an injury to veteran kicker , he signed with the , stepping in as the primary for 11 games. He made 13 of 18 s (72.2%), including a career-long 50-yarder against the Saints, and all 21 extra points for 60 points, contributing to the team's 7-9 record. However, a missed 24-yard in the final seconds of a 20-17 loss to the on drew scrutiny, and with Kasay's return from injury, Graham was released on August 31, 2003.

Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2008)

Shayne Graham joined the Cincinnati Bengals as a replacement kicker when the team claimed him off waivers from the Carolina Panthers on September 1, 2003, following the release of incumbent Neil Rackers. He quickly established himself as the starter, appearing in all 16 games that season and converting 22 of 25 field goals (88%) with a longest kick of 48 yards, while perfect on 40 extra-point attempts for 106 total points. Over his six seasons with the Bengals, Graham became a reliable presence on special teams, contributing to the team's turnaround from a 55-81 record in the prior six years to playoff contention by 2005. Graham's tenure peaked in 2005, when he earned his first and only selection as the AFC's kicker—the first for a Bengals kicker in franchise history—after making 28 of 32 s (87.5%) and all 47 extra points for a franchise-record 131 points. That year, he also received second-team honors and helped the Bengals secure their first winning season since 1990 with an 11-5 record and the title. In the Wild Card playoff loss to the , Graham converted his only attempt and both extra points. His consistency extended across seasons, as shown in the following statistics:
YearGamesFG Made/AttFG%XP Made/AttXP%PointsLongest FG
20031622/2588.040/40100.010648
20041627/3187.141/41100.012253
20051628/3287.547/47100.013149
20061625/3083.340/4295.211551
20071631/3491.237/37100.013048
20081421/2487.515/15100.07845
Overall, he converted 86.8% of his 176 attempts and 98.8% of 220 extra points during this period. Among his standout performances, Graham set a Bengals single-game record with seven s—all the team's points—in a 21-7 victory over the on November 11, 2007, including a franchise-record streak of 17 consecutive makes to start the season. He also delivered game-winning kicks, such as a 37-yard as time expired in a 23-20 win against the on December 11, 2005, and contributed to key victories throughout his tenure with long-range accuracy, including a 53-yarder in 2004. In March 2004, the Bengals matched a five-year, $6.5 million offer sheet from the to retain him as a , securing his role through the decade. Graham's later years with the team were marred by injuries, including a bruised right hip in the 2007 preseason that sidelined him briefly and a sore in 2008 that limited him to 14 games, prompting the Bengals to sign backup kickers like . Despite these setbacks, he remained productive when healthy. The Bengals did not re-sign Graham after the 2008 season, allowing him to enter free agency as they sought a younger option at kicker.

Mid-career journeyman years (2009–2012)

Following his six-year tenure with the , which represented the peak of his early professional stability, Shayne Graham entered a phase of frequent team transitions beginning in 2009, as he navigated tryouts, short-term contracts, and intense competition for kicking positions across the league. In 2009, Graham remained with the Bengals for a full season, appearing in all 16 games and converting 23 of 28 attempts (82.1 percent accuracy), while going 28-for-29 on extra points; however, his postseason performance faltered with misses from 28 and 35 yards in a wild-card loss to the , contributing to his release that March. Graham signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the in June 2010 to compete for the starting kicker role but was released in August after losing the competition to , without appearing in any regular-season games. Graham's 2010 season exemplified his journeyman status, as he quickly moved between teams while delivering consistent results in limited opportunities. On October 16, he signed with the to provide insurance for the injured , appearing in one game on October 17 against the , where he handled all four extra-point attempts successfully but had no tries. Released shortly after, Graham joined the on November 10 amid their own kicking instability, stepping in for the injured and going a perfect 12-for-12 on s over eight regular-season games, with a longest of 41 yards, and 35-of-37 on extra points (94.6 percent). His reliability extended to the , where he made both attempts (from 34 and 38 yards) in the AFC Divisional round loss to the Jets on January 16, 2011, though the Patriots' high-powered offense limited his overall volume. This stint highlighted Graham's ability to perform under pressure in a contending environment, but it also underscored the precariousness of his role, as he was released again in March 2011 after Gostkowski's recovery. The volatility continued in 2011, marked by preseason challenges and brief regular-season appearances across three teams. Graham signed with the Washington Redskins on August 1 to vie for the starting job against , but he struggled in the preseason opener on August 11 against the , missing s from 29 and 49 yards, leading to his release four days later. He then joined the on November 19, playing two games: a perfect 5-for-5 on extra points in a win over the on November 20, and 4-of-5 on s (including makes from 21, 28, 36, and 48 yards, but missing a 52-yarder) with 1-of-1 extra point in a narrow loss to the on November 24. Waived by Miami on November 29, Graham signed with the on December 20 as injury insurance for Cundiff, appearing in one game on December 24 against the , where he made both attempts from 44 and 48 yards—both from 40-plus yards—to help secure a 20-14 victory, along with 2-of-2 extra points. Released again on January 3, 2012, after Cundiff's return, Graham's 2011 output totaled 6-of-7 s (85.7 percent) in three games, reflecting solid but limited contributions amid ongoing roster flux. In 2012, Graham found more sustained opportunity with the Houston Texans, signing in May and serving as their primary kicker for the full 16-game regular season plus playoffs, marking his longest stint since leaving the Bengals. He converted 31 of 38 field goals (81.6 percent accuracy), with a longest of 51 yards, and was perfect on 45 extra-point attempts, contributing 138 points to the team's offense. His performance peaked in the postseason, going 6-for-6 on field goals, including all four attempts (from 21, 34, 42, and 45 yards) in a wild-card win over the Bengals on January 6, 2013, and a 55-yarder in the divisional round loss to the Patriots on January 13, 2013. Despite occasional inconsistencies, such as seven misses inside 40 yards during the regular season, Graham's tenure with Houston demonstrated resilience in a competitive AFC South, though the team's eventual playoff exit and his free-agent status at season's end perpetuated the journeyman pattern. Throughout 2009–2012, Graham's field goal accuracy was 84.7 percent across 85 attempts in 44 games, but frequent releases—often tied to preseason tryouts or injury recoveries on other rosters—highlighted the challenges of maintaining job security as a veteran specialist.

Later stints (2013–2015)

Entering the 2013 season as an unrestricted free agent after his release from the Houston Texans, Shayne Graham signed with the Cleveland Browns on April 16 to replace departing kicker Phil Dawson, but was released on August 31 during final cuts after competing in the preseason. Shortly after, on September 10, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him amid an injury to their regular kicker Shaun Suisham; however, Graham was released just a week later on September 17 without appearing in a game. He joined the New Orleans Saints on December 18, playing in the final two regular-season games where he converted all 2 field goals and 7 extra points attempted, totaling 13 points. Graham also appeared in both Saints playoff games, making 4 of 6 field goals—including a 32-yard game-winner in the wild-card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on January 4, 2014—and all 3 extra points for 15 points. Graham re-signed with the Saints on a one-year deal in early 2014, securing the starting kicker role and playing all 16 regular-season games. He demonstrated reliability by converting 19 of 22 field goals (86.4 percent) with a longest of 50 yards, and 46 of 47 extra points (97.9 percent), scoring 103 points overall. His strong performance—9-for-9 on both field goals and extra points—earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors, highlighting his accuracy during a 3-1 stretch for the team. Despite the Saints missing the , Graham's consistency provided stability at age 36 amid his career. Entering 2015 at age 37, Graham's opportunities continued to diminish as teams favored younger kickers. He re-signed with the Saints on February 12 for another one-year contract but was released on May 19 following the rookie minicamp, without playing in the preseason. On November 26, the Atlanta Falcons signed him as an injury replacement for Matt Bryant, appearing in the final five games where he made 11 of 13 field goals (84.6 percent), including a 54-yarder, and all 8 extra points for 41 points. The Falcons released him in September 2016 after he did not play the prior season, marking the end of his active NFL tenure. Graham announced his retirement on February 6, 2017, after 15 professional seasons, having scored 1,260 points across 178 games with 11 teams.

Coaching career

Central Michigan (2017)

In March 2017, shortly after retiring from a 15-year NFL career, Shayne Graham joined Central Michigan University as the special teams quality control coach under head coach John Bonamego. Graham's responsibilities focused on supporting the development of specialists, including kickers, punters, and long snappers, through mentorship on mental preparation, confidence-building, and technical fluency, as well as film breakdown and program design—though NCAA rules limited him from hands-on field coaching. He drew on his professional experience, where he converted 85.5% of field goals and 98.2% of extra points, to guide players like punter Cooper Mojsiejenko and holder Jack Sheldon in enhancing consistency and fundamentals. During the 2017 season, Central Michigan's special teams unit showed solid contributions amid the team's overall 8-5 record and tie for second place in the MAC West Division, highlighted by return specialist Jerrod Davis and punter sharing the program's Special Teams Player of the Year award. Place-kicker Michael Armstrong handled primary duties, going 7-for-11 on field goals (63.6%), while the unit supported key wins en route to a appearance. Graham held the position for one season, leveraging the experience to advance to his subsequent coaching role.

Michigan State (2018–2019)

In June 2018, Shayne Graham joined the football staff as a special teams intern, drawing on his experience as a at the previous year; he was promoted to full-time special teams analyst the following month. As the only coach dedicated exclusively to special teams, Graham's responsibilities included preparing scouting reports, scripting practices, handling scheduling, and contributing input to game planning for the unit. He provided specialized guidance on kicking strategies, particularly adapting to new NCAA kickoff rules implemented that season. His work emphasized player evaluations through and focused on the kicking game, while supporting overall practice planning to enhance special teams execution. Graham's efforts contributed to the Spartans' special teams stability during his two seasons, as the team finished 7–6 in both 2018 and 2019, including a Pinstripe Bowl appearance in the latter year. Kicker Matt Coghlin, under Graham's oversight, connected on 20 of 25 field goals (80%) in 2018 and 18 of 23 (78.3%) in 2019, while punting net yards improved from 36.0 per attempt (98th nationally) to 37.8 (81st nationally). Following the 2019 season, Graham departed Michigan State for a new opportunity at the .

Florida (2020–2021)

In February 2020, Shayne Graham joined the football staff as special teams quality control coach, bringing his extensive NFL kicking experience to assist with specialist development amid the early stages of the . This role followed his progression from special teams analyst at Michigan State, where he had honed his coaching skills in a similar capacity. Graham focused on training and game preparation for the Gators' kickers, particularly working with junior to refine consistency, mental preparation, and technical mechanics under constrained conditions from pandemic-related protocols, including paused team activities and postponed games in October 2020. His guidance contributed to improved efficiency during the 2020 season, where McPherson converted 17 of 19 attempts (89.5 percent), ranking 10th nationally and leading the SEC in despite the disruptions of limited practices and a mid-season outbreak that sidelined over 20 team members. In the 2021 season, following McPherson's departure to the , Graham shifted his efforts to integrating new specialists like Chris Howard, who handled primary kicking duties and achieved 8 of 12 s (66.7 percent) across 13 games, helping maintain a team success rate of 66.7 percent amid ongoing recovery from the prior year's challenges. emphasis on foundational techniques and preparation supported the unit's adaptability during a transitional year marked by coaching staff changes late in the season. After two seasons, Graham announced his departure from on December 27, 2021, concluding his formal college coaching tenure with the program.

Post-coaching activities

Consulting and training

After retiring from college coaching in 2021, Shayne Graham founded Elite Winning Solutions in 2022, a consulting and coaching firm dedicated to advancing special teams performance for kickers and punters. Drawing on his 15-year career and prior roles as a special teams coach at institutions like , Michigan State, and , Graham established the company to provide specialized training that integrates physical, mental, and analytical elements. The firm's services include one-on-one private lessons, all-inclusive training programs with on-field sessions, mental conditioning exercises, in-office film reviews using multiple camera angles, and biomechanics-focused weight training, often incorporating room, board, and meals for intensive camps. Graham also offers team consulting, athlete physical evaluations, and mindset preparedness coaching, leveraging analytics such as the proprietary Elite Rating Index (ERI), which utilizes data for metrics. These offerings emphasize practical, NFL-informed strategies to refine technique and build resilience under pressure. Elite Winning Solutions serves clients across levels, from high school athletes to college standouts and professional prospects. For instance, high school kicker Emmett White, who lacked a school football team, trained with Graham to hone his skills and passion for the position. At the college level, Graham worked with Michigan State kicker Matt Coghlin, a 2018 First Team All-Big Ten selection, helping him refine his form and mentality during his tenure there. Other success stories include punter Michael Lantz, who reported enhanced comprehension and performance after just three days of training, and Matt McRobert, who improved his punt technique in five days. These examples highlight Graham's impact in elevating individual athletes through targeted, experience-based instruction.

Media and broadcasting

In November 2025, Shayne Graham launched his radio show and "Shayne Graham's Extra Points with Ryan Walsh," debuting on November 6 via live broadcast on stations including 94.9 FM in , and available as full audio episodes on platforms like and Podbean. As co-host alongside , Graham discusses topics such as games and player trades, college football focusing on and , and specialized kicking techniques, including breakdowns of record field goals like Cam Little's 68-yard attempt. Graham has made guest appearances on sports media outlets, providing commentary on developments, such as the coaching search in late 2025. His media presence draws from his consulting expertise in special teams performance to offer insights on player preparation and game strategy. Beyond his own program, Graham has appeared as a guest on s like "Sports with Ryan Walsh" in October 2025, where he joined discussions on alumni experiences, and "Lean Blog Interviews" in August 2025, addressing kicker resilience under pressure. He also engages in speaking engagements at athletic camps, universities, and conferences, sharing strategies for building confidence and leadership in kicking and special teams roles. Additionally, Graham contributes as an author on kicking strategies through his work with Elite Winning Solutions, emphasizing mental and technical approaches to accuracy and punting.

Career statistics and records

NFL kicking statistics

Shayne Graham's NFL kicking career spanned 15 seasons from 2001 to 2015, during which he appeared in 178 regular-season games for 10 teams, converting 277 of 324 field goal attempts for an 85.5% success rate and 429 of 435 extra points for a 98.6% success rate, accumulating 1,260 total points. The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of his regular-season kicking statistics by team, including field goals made/attempted (percentage), extra points made/attempted (percentage), games played, and points scored. His career-long regular-season field goal was 54 yards, achieved in 2015 with the Atlanta Falcons.
YearTeamGamesFG Made/AttFG%XP Made/AttXP%PointsLong FG
2001BUF66/875.07/7100.02541
20021113/1872.221/21100.06050
2003CIN1622/2588.040/40100.010648
2004CIN1627/3187.141/41100.012253
2005CIN1628/3287.547/47100.013149
2006CIN1625/3083.340/4295.211551
2007CIN1631/3491.237/37100.013048
2008CIN1421/2487.515/15100.07845
2009CIN1623/2882.128/2996.69753
20102TM912/12100.039/4195.17541
2TM36/785.78/8100.02648
2012HOU1631/3881.645/45100.013851
2013NOR22/2100.07/7100.01340
2014NOR1619/2286.446/4797.910350
2015ATL511/1384.68/8100.04154
In the playoffs, Graham made limited appearances across five postseason runs, converting 13 of 17 attempts (76.5%) and all 11 extra point attempts in seven games for 50 total points; his postseason-long field goal was 55 yards in 2012 with the Houston Texans during a divisional playoff loss to the . Among kickers, Graham's career totals rank him 42nd in scoring with 1,260 points, 43rd in field goals made (277), 20th in (85.5%), and 45th in extra points made (429) as of 2025.

Cincinnati Bengals franchise records

During his seven seasons with the from 2003 to 2009, Shayne Graham established several franchise kicking records that underscored his reliability and precision, particularly in accuracy and volume. He holds the Bengals' career record for at 86.8%, converting 177 of 204 attempts, a mark that remains unmatched among kickers with substantial playing time as of 2025. This achievement places Graham at the forefront of Bengals kicking history, surpassing predecessors like (71.9%) and outpacing modern kickers such as (81.7% as of 2025). Graham's single-season performances further cemented his legacy. In , he set the franchise record for highest in a season with 91.2% (31 of 34), a benchmark that still stands and highlights his peak form during a 7-9 campaign. That year, he also set his single-season high with 31 field goals made, a total that led the and held as the Bengals' record until surpassed it with 33 in 2011. Additionally, Graham's 21 consecutive field goals made in established another enduring franchise record for streak length, spanning the first 10 games after an early-season miss. In high-pressure situations, Graham delivered notable game-winning kicks, including a 31-yard field goal in overtime to secure a 23-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns in 2009, clinching a playoff berth for the Bengals. His most iconic performance came on November 11, 2007, against the Baltimore Ravens, where he set the franchise record for most field goals in a game with seven (from distances of 19, 21, 22, 33, 34, and two from 35 yards), accounting for all 21 of Cincinnati's points in a 21-7 win. This feat, which broke the previous club mark of six, remains the Bengals' single-game record as of 2025. Graham's records reflect his role as one of the most accurate kickers in Bengals history, contributing 779 points during his tenure (ranking 2nd in franchise scoring as of 2025) and earning a selection in 2005. While some marks like seasonal field goal volume have been eclipsed by subsequent kickers, his accuracy standards continue to define excellence for the position in franchise lore.

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