Minnesota Vikings release kicker Ryan Longwell after six seasons with franchise - NFL News
Minnesota Vikings on Monday had some good news and bad news as they continue their rebuilding project.
The good news was that the Vikings finally got approval for a state subsidy by the Minnesota House lawmakers for a new $ 975 million stadium, however, the bad news and most surprising was the parting of ways with their long-term kicker and one of the best
special teams players in the National Football League (NFL), Ryan Longwell.
The 37-year-old kicker was released after spending six years with the franchise and still had three years left to go on his current contract.
The Vikings pick of rookie kicker, Blair Walsh in the sixth round of the drafts seems to be the reason behind the decision to let go of the veteran kicker.
Longwell though left amicably and thanked the Vikings fans for all the great time that he had playing at the franchise.
Taking to Twitter after the decision of made the kicker posted.
“To all in Viking Nation.Can't thank you enough for your cheers over the past 6 years!You've been awesome to me and my family. God Bless!”
A fan favourite and one of the most reliable kickers in the league, Longwell completed 361 field goals in his entire 16-year NFL career out of 434 attempts with a completion percentage of 83.2.
The kicker has scored 1,687 points in his career of which 633 were scored in a Vikings jersey.
Head coach, Leslie Frazier in a statement thanked the kicker for his contribution to the team throughout the years and wished him well for the future.
"Ryan did a good job for us. He is a great person and has been an outstanding player in our league for a long time. I wish him nothing but the best. He has been great for our organization."
His special teams teammate and friend, punter, Chris Kluwe also took to Twitter and said.
"Sad to see Ryan go, both as a teammate and as a friend. Unfortunately, that's the business of the NFL; we all get replaced eventually."
Minnesota Vikings will now put all their kicking duties on Georgia rookie, Blair Walsh and hopefully he can fill the shoes of the veteran starting from next season in 2012-13.
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