Background and career
David Roy Akers ( AY-kərz; born December 9, 1974) is an American former professional football player who was a kicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. He began his career in 1998 with the Washington Redskins. The following year, Akers signed with the Eagles, where he spent 12 seasons. Akers also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions before retiring in 2013. During his career, Akers received six Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro selections. He also tied the then-NFL record for the longest successful field goal when he converted a 63-yard field goal, which at the time was tied for longest in league history. His 44 field goals in 2011 is tied for the single-season record. Akers is an inductee of the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame and a member of the Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team, along with being named to the second-team of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.
Akers attended Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Kentucky.
Akers attended college at the University of Louisville and played for the Louisville Cardinals football team. During his four-year college career, Akers kicked a school-record 36 field goals (with a long of 51 yards against Texas A&M University), and ranks second on Louisville's all-time scoring list, with 219 points.
Akers signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on April 21, 1997. He was waived on August 17.
Akers signed to the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad on August 26, 1997. He remained on the practice squad for the entire 1997 NFL season. He re-signed with the Falcons on April 28, 1998. He was waived on July 7, 1998, and re-signed shortly thereafter. He was waived again on August 24.
Akers was signed by the Washington Redskins to their practice squad on September 1, 1998, and he was promoted to the active roster on September 15, 1998. He played in one game for them, making two extra points but missing two field goal attempts of 48+ yards each. He was waived on September 22, 1998, following the game. After his release, Akers had tryouts with the Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, and on December 23, 1998, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sources
Net-worth figure: Celebrity Net Worth (October 2026), in USD. Biography and career facts: the person's Wikipedia article and linked reporting. Snapshot date for all StarWorth figures: 28 October 2026.
