Four more years!
Graham Gano signed a four-year contract extension on Tuesday with the Carolina Panthers to remain their kicker through the 2021 season.
.@GrahamGano has signed a four-year deal https://t.co/DDjIDoazCT
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 6, 2018
The 30-year-old kicker was dominant in 2017, making 29 of his 30 field goal attempts and being named to his first Pro Bowl. He also turned a league-leading 84.8 percent of his kickoffs into touchbacks.
Undrafted coming into the 2009 season after a successful college career with Florida State, Gano signed with the Ravens but was waived just before the season. After a stint in the United Football League, Gano signed with the Redskins late in the 2009 season and played there through 2011. In 2012, he signed with the Panthers, and has been a part of six seasons with Carolina including an NFC championship in 2015, when he made a franchise record 56 field goals.
Gano’s faith is also important to him and in 2014, he shared with CBN why using his platform as an NFL player to share God’s love is a priority in his life.
“The platform that I had in D.C. I didn’t use it very well,” Gano told CBN. “So I think that was one of the things, you know, when I was praying, I was like ,’You know God, if you give me another opportunity, somewhere to play, I want to use that more, I want to be more involved in the community,’ and it was awesome how it worked out. A couple days later I got a call from Carolina. I definitely know it was God’s work. I feel very blessed to be here and I can’t imagine being anywhere better than this.”
Now with the ink dried on a new contract, Gano is looking to help lead the Panthers back to the Super Bowl. Most importantly, he will continue to play on his three sons’ favorite team.
“All my kids have known is being Panthers fans, so it’s exciting,” Gano said. “I definitely feel very blessed and fortunate to be given the opportunity.”
