Like many other Australians who have played in the NFL, McBriar started his career playing AFL football for his school Brighton Grammar. In 2004 McBriar moved to Hawaii and was picked up as an undrafted Free Agent by the Dallas Cowboys.
McBriar became Darren Bennett’s protege, staying in his spare bedroom and learning all the business and physical sides of becoming an NFL punter from Bennett.
In his first debut game in 2004 NFL season, McBriar played against Bennett in his first game as a Minnesota Viking after a successful career with the San Diego Chargers. It was the first time two Australians appeared in the same NFL game.
McBriar has been one of the most consistent and successful Australian punters having been selected for several NFC Special Teams Player Of The Week awards and becoming only the second Australian (behind Darren Bennett) to be selected for a Pro Bowl in 2006.
In 2007, McBriar signed a 5-year, $8.5 million contract making him the highest paid punter in the NFL.
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| College: Hawaii | |
| Undrafted in 2004 | |
| Debuted in 2004 for the Dallas Cowboys | |
| Career history | |
As player:
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career NFL statistics as of week 17, 2008 | |
| Punts | 299 |
| Punt Yards | 13,463 |
| Punting Yard Average | 45.0 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
Source:
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mat_McBriar
SMH: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/08/1094530696632.html?from=storyrhs
