Roger Ruzek

Roger Brian Ruzek (born December 17, 1960) is a former professional American football placekicker. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons for the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. Previously he played with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League. He was a teammate of Herschel Walker with three different teams (Generals, Cowboys and Eagles).

Early years

Ruzek attended El Camino High School before moving on to Weber State University, where he set different school records: 46 career field goals, 221 career points and a 4 field goal game, which at the time were best in school history. He also made a 51 field goal, second longest in school history at the time.

Professional career

Cleveland Browns

Ruzek was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns, after not being selected in the 1983 NFL draft. He was released before the 1983 season started, after he couldn't unseat the incumbent kicker Matt Bahr.

New Jersey Generals (USFL)

After being out of football for a year, he received a tryout invitation from the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League, performing well enough to be named the starter kicker for the 1984 season.^[1]

Dallas Cowboys

After the USFL folded, Ruzek signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1987, replacing Rafael Septien after he was released. That year he tied an NFL record with four field goals made in one quarter (the most ever made in a fourth quarter) and set a franchise mark with five field goals made (tied by Eddie Murray in 1993) against the Los Angeles Rams.

In 1989, he was replaced with Luis Zendejas in two games during a contract holdout.^[2] He was released the next season after missing 6 of 11 field goals.^[3]

Philadelphia Eagles

Ruzek signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles on November 22, 1989.^[4] The next year he made a 53-yard field goal, which at the time was the third-longest in franchise history.

In 1993, the team signed Matt Bahr after Ruzek strained his right hamstring, while making a game-winning 30-yard field goal with time running out against the Green Bay Packers.^[5] He was released two weeks later on September 24, when the team decided to replace him with Bahr.^[6] He was resigned on December 14, after Bahr struggled in his absence.^[7]

San Francisco 49ers

In 1994, he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers, but was released on July 28.^[8]

San Jose SaberCats (AFL)

Ruzek signed with the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League in 1996, making 3 out of 8 field goals and 11 out of 12 extra points.^[9]

London Monarchs (WLAF)

In 1996, he played with the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football, making 8 of 11 field goals.

References