Where Are They Now - Neil Rackers
October 23, 2014 | Football
Neil Rackers - K 1996-1999
Neil Rackers dominated the kicking game for the Illini throughout his career in Champaign. Rackers received several soccer scholarship offers but decided to walk-on at the University of Illinois, against the advice of many who told him to accept the soccer scholarships instead. As an Illini, he was an All-Big Ten performer and team captain in his final season. As a senior in 1999 Rackers accumulated 110 points, the most points ever in a single season at Illinois. Highlight of the season came when he set the Illinois record for points scored in a single game by a kicker with 22 at Iowa, scoring on four field goals, four extra points, and catching a touchdown pass on a fake field goal.The Cincinnati Bengals selected Rackers in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. As a pro, he kicked for four different organizations with the Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans and Washington Redskins. In 2006 with the Cardinals, Rackers kicked 40 field goals on the year for an NFL record. After a successful 12-year career in the NFL, he was named First-Team All-Pro, selected to play in the Pro Bowl, set an NFL record for most tackles by a placekicker and made an appearance in the 2009 Super Bowl.
In 2012, Rackers retired from the NFL and moved back to St. Louis with his wife and children. Today, he's an NFL Insider broadcaster for the St. Louis Rams game day on ESPN 101.1. Also, Rackers coaches at John Burrough School, where he's in charge of the kicking game and serves as linebacker coach. Recently, he partnered with SnapKickPunt, a kicking academy run by Rackers and former NFL punter David Brader. SnapKickPunt works with kickers, punters and snappers of all ages and experience levels.
