It's rare you see a punter inducted to the NFL Hall of Fame – in fact former Raider Ray Guy is the only full-time punter currently enshrined in Canton – but Shane Lechler has a good shot at joining him. Recently, the six-time First-Team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler retired from football, which has prompted us to look back at his illustrious career as a member of the Silver and Black. For 13 years, Lechler called Oakland home, and established himself as one of the best punters in the league during that time.
Lechler suited up for the Raiders 206 times, only missing two games in 13 seasons – they were also the only two games he missed in his 18-year career. On 1,014 punt attempts with the Raiders, Lechler totaled a franchise record 48,215 yards, maintained an average of 47.5 yards per punt, and the longest punt of his career was an 80 yarder in 2011.
The former fifth-round pick signed with the Houston Texans in 2013 and finished his career there after five years in the AFC South. When he finally hung up the cleats, Lechler had amounted 68,676 yards on 1,444 punt attempts, while adding seven extra point attempts, converting all seven. He has left his footprint in Raiders history and as one of the best punters to play the game.
