Thomas Morstead

Thomas James Morstead Bio

Thomas James Morstead is an American professional football punter and kickoff specialist who currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Born in Houston, Texas, Morstead has built a distinguished NFL career spanning over 15 seasons, distinguished by his exceptional leg strength, precision pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line, and his pivotal role in the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl XLIV championship victory. He played college football at Southern Methodist University before being selected by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Morstead has also played for the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, and Miami Dolphins throughout his career.

Early Life and Background

Morstead was born on March 8, 1986, in Houston, Texas, and grew up in the nearby suburb of Pearland, Texas. He has one brother, Patrick. Morstead attended Pearland High School, where he excelled in both football and basketball, earning varsity letters in both sports. On the football field, he received second-team All-District honors and was named the Brazoria County Special Teams MVP during his senior season. His academic achievements were equally impressive, as he was a member of the National Honor Society and earned Academic All-State honors.

Path to American Football

Morstead enrolled at Southern Methodist University in 2004, turning down scholarship offers from Texas Christian, Rice, Texas, and Missouri. He spent his freshman season as a redshirt and was on the Conference USA Academic Honor Roll in 2005 without appearing in any games. In 2006, Morstead took over both place-kicking and punting duties for the SMU Mustangs. He led Conference USA with an impressive average of 43.82 yards on 50 punts, the best average by an SMU punter since Craig James in 1982. He earned All-Conference USA third-team honors that season and made 13 of 18 field goals while scoring 73 points.

As a sophomore in 2007, Morstead became a consensus All-Conference USA first-team selection while also earning league academic honors. He again led C-USA with a 44.65-yard punting average and set the league single-season record by making all 43 extra point attempts. In his senior season of 2008, Morstead concentrated more on directional punting, averaging 41.78 yards on 59 punts while earning All-Conference USA honorable mention recognition.

Thomas James Morstead Career

New Orleans Saints (2009–2020)

Morstead was selected in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft with the 164th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints. He beat out Glenn Pakulak for the Saints punting job as a rookie and recorded 58 punts for a 43.59-yard average during the 2009 season. His most historic moment came in Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts, when Morstead executed a crucial onside kick during the second half kickoff. The Saints recovered the ball and converted the possession into a touchdown, taking a 13–10 lead en route to a 31–17 victory and the Super Bowl championship.

Morstead went on to become one of the most reliable punters in the league. In the 2011 season, he set the NFL record for most touchbacks in a single season with 68 and recorded nine kickoff touchbacks in one game, both of which remain records. In July 2012, the Saints signed him to a six-year extension worth $21.9 million, making him the second highest-paid punter in the league at the time. He was elected to the Pro Bowl that season and earned Second-team All-Pro honors after leading the league in net punting yardage with 74 punts for 3,707 yards and a 50.09-yard average.

New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons (2021)

After being released by the Saints on March 4, 2021, after 12 seasons, Morstead signed with the New York Jets on September 14, 2021, to fill in for the injured Braden Mann. He was released on November 8 after punting 23 times for 1,108 yards. Morstead then signed with the Atlanta Falcons on November 23, 2021. In his Falcons debut during Week 12, he downed three of five punts inside the 20-yard line during a 21–14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He was later named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December, finishing the 2021 season with 45 punts for 2,123 yards and a 47.18-yard average.

Miami Dolphins (2022)

Morstead signed with the Miami Dolphins on April 8, 2022. During a narrow 21–19 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 3, Morstead inadvertently kicked a punt from the endzone into the buttocks of teammate Trent Sherfield, resulting in a safety. The play went viral across social media, becoming famously known as the “Butt Punt.” Despite the memorable mishap, Morstead finished the 2022 season with 61 punts for 2,828 yards and a 46.36-yard average.

New York Jets Return (2023–2024)

Morstead re-signed with the Jets on April 7, 2023. During a Week 8 13–10 road victory over the New York Giants, he had 11 punts averaging 48.1 yards with three landing inside the five-yard line. His performance earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Morstead led the entire NFL in the 2023 season with 99 punts, 4,831 punting yards, and a 48.8-yard average. He was re-signed again on March 14, 2024, and appeared in all 17 games, logging 63 punts for 2,972 yards and a 47.2-yard average. The Jets released him on May 13, 2025, following the signing of Kai Kroeger.

San Francisco 49ers (2025–Present)

Morstead signed with the San Francisco 49ers on May 28, 2025. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 26 but was re-signed to the active roster the following day. He had 44 punts for 1,919 yards for a 43.6-yard average during the 2025 season, continuing his reliable presence as the team’s punter and kickoff specialist.

Driving Style and Strengths

Morstead is renowned for his powerful leg, consistently ranking among the league leaders in punting average and touchbacks throughout his career. His ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory is exemplified by his 375 career punts inside the 20-yard line. He excels as both a punter and kickoff specialist, demonstrating exceptional hang time that allows coverage teams to pursue the ball while minimizing return opportunities. His consistency over 15-plus seasons speaks to his technical precision and reliability under pressure.

Notable Events and Milestones

Beyond his Super Bowl heroics with the onside kick, Morstead holds the NFL single-season record with 68 touchbacks in 2011 and the single-game record with nine touchbacks achieved that same year. His 2012 Pro Bowl selection and Second-team All-Pro recognition highlighted his status as one of the league’s premier punters. The viral “Butt Punt” incident with the Dolphins in 2022 remains one of the most memorable moments in his career, though his subsequent bounce-back performances with the Jets demonstrated his resilience and professionalism.

Thomas James Morstead Career Wins

Throughout his NFL career, Morstead has accumulated impressive statistics across multiple teams. His career totals include 1,004 punts for 46,863 yards with a 46.7-yard average, 375 punts inside the 20-yard line, and 331 touchbacks. He led the NFL in punting yards in 2023 with 4,831 yards and in punts with 99 during that same season.

NFL Highlights

Morstead achieved the Super Bowl XLIV championship with the Saints in 2010, cementing his legacy with the crucial onside kick that helped secure the victory. His 2012 season stands as one of his best, earning him Pro Bowl and Second-team All-Pro honors while leading the league in net punting yardage. The 2023 season marked another career highlight when he led the NFL in both punts and punting yards, demonstrating his enduring excellence well into his 15th season.

College and Award Recognition

In college at SMU, Morstead was a two-time First-team All-Conference USA selection in 2007 and 2008, demonstrating the talent that would translate to his professional success. In the NFL, he earned Second-team All-Pro recognition in 2012 and was selected to the Pro Bowl the same year. His consistency has earned him multiple NFC and AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors throughout his career.

Thomas James Morstead Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

While Morstead was born and raised in the Houston area with his brother Patrick, there is no verified information about racing lineage in his family background. His athletic path through Pearland High School and into college football represents his individual journey rather than any family tradition in motorsports.

Personal Life

Morstead is married to Lauren Morstead, and together they have five children. The family resides primarily in the Houston area when not traveling for football obligations. In 2014, Morstead and his wife established the charitable organization What You Give Will Grow, which supports children’s causes in the communities where they have lived. Morstead is a practicing Catholic. He also co-authored a book titled “The Middle School Rules of Thomas Morstead” with Sean Jensen, sharing life lessons drawn from his experiences.

2025 Season Performance

Following his mid-season departure from the New York Jets, Morstead joined the San Francisco 49ers in late May 2025. After a brief stint on the roster during final cuts, he was re-signed and became the team’s primary punter for the season. He finished the 2025 campaign with 44 punts for 1,919 yards and a 43.6-yard average. While his average was slightly lower than his career norms, Morstead provided the stability and experience the 49ers needed at the punter position. His veteran leadership and consistency continued to make him a valuable asset in the Niners special teams unit as the season progressed.