You just gotta love and respect Sam Ficken.
The former Penn State kicker, who endured a great deal of adversity early in his college career, had a huge night Thursday for the Jets as he went 5-for-5 on field goals. That included tying his career-long with a 54-yarder.
Ficken, who embodies perseverance, is 8-for-8 on field goals this season. But his Jets are 0-4 after a 37-28 loss to the Broncos.
This is all you need to know about the early part of Ficken’s career at PSU.
Incredible career Sam Ficken is having. Missed a PAT and 4 FGs, including one from 20 yards, for PSU in a 17-16 loss to UVA during the first PSU sanction year. Got death threats after. Bounced back to kick multiple game winners in college and have this NFL career. Just awesome https://t.co/0dFdmX2WK7
— Evan Berryhill (@EvBerryhill) October 2, 2020
Then there was this dramatic kick in Ireland to beat UCF.
SAM. FICKEN. Game-winning kick in Ireland, vs UCF, @coachjfranklin’s first game as Penn State Head Coach. @sficken1 pic.twitter.com/qZNnFmZAym
— Matthew Lownes (@LownesMatthew) September 10, 2019
I was on the sideline that day in Ireland for the game-winning kick, then ran out onto the field filming James Franklin as he celebrated. The coach hugged Ficken and yelled, “I’m so happy for you, buddy.”
Here’s a good photo of that day.
PSU beats @UCF 26-24, on Sam Ficken field goal. Follow coverage from Ireland: http://t.co/4E1HOXCiqZ @GoPSUsports pic.twitter.com/zL720S1NBS
— LNP | LancasterOnline (@LancasterOnline) August 30, 2014
Now, after all of that, Ficken is a reliable NFL kicker, and one who would seem to have locked up a pro job for a long time coming.
5-for-5 and we've got the lead 🙌#DENvsNYJ | #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/avjeNOaPHA
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 2, 2020
