Matt Prater Goes From Brock Purdy’s Old High School To SNF Start
A mere two weeks ago, Matt Prater was working out in an empty high school football field wearing shorts that screamed, “I am old.” The Instagram post received fewer than 75 likes. Today, he will be kicking in front of a packed stadium as a new addition to the Buffalo Bills as they meet Baltimore in a prime-time Sunday Night NFL matchup.
Prater’s NFL Return
In the Instagram video, Prater is working out with two other NFL free agents, Punter Matt Haack and Long Snapper Adam Higuera. Prater lined up for a kick over 60 yards with a “Go Puma’s” sign painted above the bleachers. Without football equipment, he looks like he took a break from the beer league softball game to kick a field goal. There will probably be more in-shape, football-looking men kicking field goals in the Bills’ parking lot today compared to Prater.
But there he was kicking it through the uprights with two other out-of-work NFL players. Two interesting facts about the field:
- The empty high school field at Perry High (Arizona) is where Brock Purdy played during high school.
- The goal posts are regulation ….. for high school! I guess Prater had to assume the kick was good in the NFL by estimating the difference in width.
Prater Replaces Injured Tyler Bass
When Kicker Tyler Bass landed on injured reserve earlier this week, Bills management knew they needed someone reliable. Although we cannot confirm or deny that the Bills used the Instagram video to bypass the interview process, they obviously knew where to find him.
Prater, who celebrated his 41st birthday on August 10 and is the second-oldest active player in the NFL after Aaron Rodgers, is no stranger to clutch kicking. He owns the NFL record for most 50-yard field goals made, with an 81-for-108 success rate from that distance or beyond. His career 83.6% field goal percentage speaks to the consistency that playoff-bound teams desperately need.
Prater has kicked in Super Bowls. He’s made game-winners in December cold. He’s handled the pressure that comes with playing meaningful football in January. That resume matters more than his birth certificate.
Final Thoughts
The elevation to the active roster for Sunday night’s Ravens clash signals Buffalo’s confidence in the veteran. They could have scrambled for younger options or tried to trade for another kicker. Instead, they trusted the guy who’s been doing this longer than some of his teammates have been alive.
When Buffalo takes the field under the lights against Baltimore, they’ll have history on their side—literally. Prater’s age might be the story, and his shorts from two weeks ago might be an interesting tidbit, but his leg strength and accuracy will determine whether this move pays off when it matters most.
