William Ambrose Cundiff (born March 30, 1980) is a former American football placekicker. He played college football for Drake University, and was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2002.
College career
Cundiff played for the Drake Bulldogs football team of Drake University, where he broke five Pioneer Football League (PFL) career records including most points (284), field goals (49) and points after touchdown (137). He made eight field goals over 50 yards during his career with the Bulldogs, including a PFL-record 62-yarder as a junior in 2000 against San Diego. He also was part of the Drake University Men's Basketball team. He played sparingly, partly due to several members of the team being ruled academically ineligible. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology in 2003. He was presented the highest honor for a student-athlete at the university when he received the Drake Double D Award on February 12, 2012.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Cundiff was brought to the 2002 training camp as an undrafted free agent, and won out over incumbent Tim Seder as the team's kicker. As a rookie, he won the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award, after making a 48-yard field goal on the game's final play for a 13–10 victory against the St. Louis Rams.
He tied a then-record seven field goals in a game against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football on September 15, 2003. That year, he became the second player (Chris Boniol was first) in team history to win the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week two times in a season.
In 2005, which would have been his fourth season with the team, he was waived/injured during training camp following a quadriceps injury, and briefly replaced by kickoff specialist José Cortéz, who had not been expected to make the team. Cundiff was later re-signed on November 19, 2005 (directly following the mandatory period after an injury waiver) having recovered from his training camp injury. He replaced kicker Shaun Suisham, in the hope of providing greater consistency to the Cowboys' special teams. In his first game back with the Cowboys, Cundiff made a 56-yard field goal at the end of the first half to set a record for longest field goal in franchise history. Cundiff played six games that season before being released by the Cowboys on December 26, 2005 after missing two field goals in a critical game against the Carolina Panthers. The Cowboys re-signed Suisham to replace him for the season finale.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On February 15, 2006, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Cundiff to a contract, but he was released after kicker Matt Bryant was re-signed.
Green Bay Packers
Cundiff signed with the Green Bay Packers on March 28, 2006, and was expected to compete with Dave Rayner for the starting kicking position before being cut by Green Bay on August 17.
New Orleans Saints
On November 22, 2006, the New Orleans Saints signed Cundiff as a kickoff specialist, easing the workload of veteran John Carney.
Atlanta Falcons
After being released by the Saints, Cundiff signed with the Atlanta Falcons on May 4, 2007. He was released at the end of the preseason after losing the starting job to Matt Prater.
Kansas City Chiefs
In January 2008, Cundiff was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs to a two-year contract. He was released prior to the start of the regular season.
Detroit Lions
Cundiff was signed by the Detroit Lions on August 26, 2009 after an injury to placekicker Jason Hanson. He was cut by the team on September 5, 2009.
Cleveland Browns
Cundiff was signed by the Cleveland Browns on September 26, 2009 after an injury to placekicker Phil Dawson. Cundiff beat out Matt Bryant in a workout with the Browns and was signed after the Browns first choice of Matt Stover declined to sign with the team. In week 5 of the 2009 NFL season, Cundiff hit the game-winning field goal to help the Browns beat the Buffalo Bills, 6–3. He was waived by the team on November 3, 2009.
Baltimore Ravens
Cundiff was brought in by the Baltimore Ravens for a workout on November 10, 2009 and was signed on November 18, 2009 to replace Stephen Hauschka, who was waived on November 17.