Bradley Pinion Bio
Bradley Alexander Pinion is an American professional football punter and kickoff specialist who currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 1, 1994, in Concord, North Carolina, he played college football for the Clemson Tigers before being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Across his NFL career, Pinion has also suited up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is a Super Bowl champion from the 2020 season.
Early Life and Background
Bradley Alexander Pinion grew up in Concord, North Carolina, where he attended Northwest Cabarrus High School. During his high school years, he developed into a promising punter and kicker, drawing attention from several college programs for his strong leg and consistent ball placement. His performance at the high school level positioned him as one of the more recognizable specialists in the region.
After completing high school, Pinion committed to Clemson University to continue his football career. Coming from a supportive family environment in Concord, he made the transition to college football with a clear focus on sharpening his punting craft and earning a long-term role at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Pinion enrolled at Clemson University and joined the Clemson Tigers football program, where he played under head coach Dabo Swinney from 2012 to 2014. As a freshman in 2012, he appeared in only five games while learning behind teammate Spencer Benton. His development accelerated during his sophomore year, when he took over the primary punting duties for the Tigers and handled nearly every punt attempt for the 2013 season.
By his junior season in 2014, Pinion had firmly established himself as Clemson’s main punter, handling all but one punt during the year. He earned the nickname “the steering column” from teammates for his remarkable control over the direction of his punts. Following that junior campaign, Pinion elected to forgo his senior season and declared for the 2015 NFL draft, where his consistency and directional kicking drew the attention of professional scouts.
Bradley Pinion Career
Early Career (2015-2018)
Bradley Alexander Pinion began his NFL journey with the San Francisco 49ers, who selected him in the fifth round, 165th overall, of the 2015 NFL draft. He was the only punter taken in that year’s draft and made his league debut on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. During his rookie season, he played in every game and established himself as a reliable presence in the 49ers’ special teams unit.
Across his four seasons with San Francisco from 2015 to 2018, Pinion grew into one of the league’s most active punters. He led the NFL in punt attempts during the 2016 season with 100 punts and consistently ranked among the team’s busiest special teams contributors. In 2018, he was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after a strong performance against the Oakland Raiders, capping his final year with the 49ers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2019-2021)
On March 13, 2019, Pinion signed a four-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quickly became a fixture in their special teams rotation. His Buccaneers debut came against his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, in the 2019 season opener. He posted consistent numbers throughout his first season in Tampa Bay and continued to deliver dependable field-flipping punts over the next two years.
The 2020 season proved to be the defining chapter of Pinion’s time with the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay qualified for the playoffs with a 10-6 record and advanced all the way to Super Bowl LV, where they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9. Pinion played in every postseason game that year, including four punts in the Super Bowl victory, earning him a Super Bowl championship. In 2021, he again helped the Buccaneers reach the playoffs, but he was released by the team on June 22, 2022.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022-Present)
On June 30, 2022, Pinion signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons, beginning a new chapter in his career. He made an immediate impact, recording a career-long 73-yard punt during a Week 3 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. His directional punting and strong leg helped stabilize Atlanta’s special teams unit throughout the season, and he finished 2022 with 62 punts for a 42.46 average.
On March 13, 2023, Pinion signed a three-year, $8.65 million contract extension with the Falcons, signaling the organization’s confidence in his long-term role. He responded with one of his best seasons, finishing 2023 with 75 punts for a 46.97 average and earning first-team All-Pro honors from Pro Football Focus. In 2024, he posted career-best numbers with a 47.00 average on 47 punts, cementing his reputation as one of the most accurate and effective punters in the league.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pinion is widely recognized for his exceptional directional control, often placing punts precisely where coverage units can down them inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. His strong leg allows him to flip field position consistently, and his ability to vary distance and hang time makes him a strategic weapon for his coaching staff and special teams coordinators.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Pinion’s career are his Super Bowl LV championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his first-team All-Pro selection from Pro Football Focus in 2023, and his career-long 73-yard punt recorded during the 2022 season with the Atlanta Falcons. He has also earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors multiple times during his NFL career.
Bradley Pinion Career Wins
While individual punters do not accumulate traditional win totals, Bradley Alexander Pinion has been part of several successful team campaigns throughout his NFL career. His most significant team victory came in Super Bowl LV, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs. He has also been a contributor on playoff-caliber squads with both the 49ers and the Falcons.
NFL Highlights
Pinion’s standout NFL moments include his rookie debut on Monday Night Football with the 49ers in 2015, his league-leading 100 punt attempts during the 2016 season, and his Super Bowl LV appearance and championship in 2020. With the Atlanta Falcons, his career-high 47.00 punting average in 2024 stands as one of the most efficient seasons of his career.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Pinion was a reliable starter for the Clemson Tigers across three college seasons. His steady growth at Clemson, highlighted by his “steering column” reputation among teammates, prepared him for the demands of an NFL career and laid the foundation for his long-term success at the highest level.
Bradley Pinion Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Bradley Alexander Pinion was raised in Concord, North Carolina, where he completed his high school education at Northwest Cabarrus before moving on to play college football at Clemson University. His upbringing in the Carolinas helped shape his path toward a professional football career.
Personal Life
Pinion is married to Kaeleigh Pinion. He is a Christian and is also a supporter of Compassion International. Off the field, he has built a stable personal life that complements his ongoing professional career in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Bradley Alexander Pinion remains under contract with the Atlanta Falcons through the 2026 campaign following his three-year extension signed in March 2023. After posting career-best averages in back-to-back seasons, he is expected to continue as the team’s primary punter and kickoff specialist, providing stability and consistency to Atlanta’s special teams unit.
Pinion’s progression from a 47.00 average in 2024 suggests he remains among the more efficient punters in the league. With the Falcons building around their young core, his veteran presence and proven directional kicking should remain valuable assets throughout the 2025 schedule.
Looking ahead, Pinion will look to build on his Pro Football Focus first-team All-Pro recognition from 2023 and continue delivering field-position advantages for Atlanta. His role as both a punter and kickoff specialist gives the Falcons flexibility in their special teams game planning, and his track record of durability makes him a reliable contributor for the duration of his current contract.