Josh Lambo

Josh Lambo
Lambo with the San Diego Chargers in 2015
Personal information
Full nameJoshua Gregory Lambo[1]
Born (1990-11-19) November 19, 1990 (age 34)
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Association football career
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
2005–2008 IMG Soccer Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 FC Dallas 0 (0)
2010 → FC Tampa Bay (loan) 6 (0)
International career
2007 United States U17 2 (0)
2008–2009 United States U20 4 (0)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Runner-up CONCACAF U-20 Championship 2009
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
American football career
No. 2, 4, 6
Position:Placekicker
Career information
High school:Middleton
(Middleton, Wisconsin)
IMG Academy
(Bradenton, Florida)
College:Texas A&M (2012–2014)
Undrafted:2015
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Field goals made:128
Field goals attempted:147
Field goal %:87.1
Longest field goal:59
Touchbacks:198
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Joshua Gregory Lambo (born November 19, 1990) is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He is currently 8th all-time in field goal percentage, having made 87.07% of his field goals in his time in the NFL.

Lambo began his athletic career as a goalkeeper in soccer. He was selected in the first round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas. Despite being a member of the team for three seasons, he never played in an MLS match. After retiring from soccer at the age of 21, he began playing college football for the Texas A&M Aggies from 2012 to 2014.

He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2015, playing for the Chargers for two seasons. He was then signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars partway in the 2017 season where he spent the majority of his NFL career. With the Jaguars, he was a Second-team All-Pro in 2019. After missing most of the 2020 season due to injury, Lambo was released by the Jaguars after three games in 2021 after a poor start to the season. He subsequently had brief stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad and the Tennessee Titans in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Early life

[edit]

Born in Lansing, Michigan, Lambo moved with his family to Crystal Lake, Illinois, when he was a small child.[citation needed] He played club soccer for the Chicago Magic before moving to Middleton, Wisconsin, in the summer of 2005, where he attended Middleton High School for less than two months before signing a Generation Adidas contract and joining the USA Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida.[2][3] In 2006, and at the age of 15, he spent the summer training with Premier League club Everton during their tour of the United States on the recommendation of USMNT international Tim Howard and was invited to Finch Farm, before being offered a professional contract on the provision that he could secure an EU passport due to his Greek heritage.[4][5]

Professional soccer career

[edit]

Club career

[edit]

Lambo was selected in the first round (8th overall) of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas.[6] He played in the MLS Reserve Division, and was a named first team substitute on several occasions, but missed most of the second half of the 2008 season after he broke his jaw in a reserve team game. Lambo never played in an MLS match, but did appear for his team in an international friendly match versus Costa Rica's CS Herediano in June 2009.[citation needed]

Lambo was loaned to USSF Division 2 Professional League expansion team FC Tampa Bay for the 2010 season.[7] He made his professional debut on May 14, 2010, in a 2–1 victory over the Carolina RailHawks.[8]

Lambo was waived by Dallas at the end of the 2011 season. He went on trial with D.C. United[9] and Sheffield United[10] in January 2012. After turning down offers from the NASL and the chance of becoming a MLS pool goalkeeper, he retired from professional soccer at the age of 21.[11]

International career

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Lambo made two appearances for the United States U-17 national team during the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup after starting the competition as a substitute. He made his debut in the third and last group stage match against Belgium, playing the whole game and keeping a clean sheet against a side that fielded future Premier League players Eden Hazard and Christian Benteke,[12] and was the goalkeeper in the 2–1 loss against Germany in the round of 16. He was an unused substitute for the United States U-20 national team at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[13]

College career

[edit]

In the fall of 2012, Lambo enrolled at Texas A&M University and joined the football team as a placekicker.[14] He became starting field goal kicker after overtaking Taylor Bertolet during the 2013 season (Bertolet remained the kickoff specialist). His first career appearance came on September 22, 2012, when he made an extra point against South Carolina State.[15] His first game-winning field goal came against Ole Miss on October 12, 2013. With the game tied at 38 and only four seconds remaining in the game, Lambo kicked a 33-yard field goal to win the game for the Aggies.[16] Lambo converted 50 of 51 extra point attempts in the 2013 season and all 59 extra point attempts for the 2014 season.[17][18] He went on to compete in the 2015 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.[19]

Professional American football career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 0+1⁄4 in
(1.84 m) 		216 lb
(98 kg) 		29+1⁄2 in
(0.75 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine[20][21]

San Diego Chargers

[edit]

On May 2, 2015, after going undrafted in the 2015 NFL draft, Lambo signed a contract as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers.[22][23] Lambo was brought in for competition for the kicker spot. On September 5, Lambo won the starting job over the incumbent veteran Nick Novak. He displayed a strong leg during exhibition games, while Novak did not have a touchback in the final half of the 2014 season.[24]

In the 2015 season, Lambo converted 26 of 32 field goal attempts.[25] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[26]

On December 24, 2016, in a game against the 0–14 Cleveland Browns, Lambo missed a game tying field goal in the final seconds of the game, allowing the Browns to claim the win.[27] In the 2016 season, Lambo converted 42 of 46 extra point attempts and 26 of 32 field goal attempts.[28]

On September 2, 2017, Lambo was released by the Chargers after losing the starting kicker job to rookie Younghoe Koo.[29]

Jacksonville Jaguars

[edit]

On October 17, 2017, Lambo signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[30] On November 12, 2017, Lambo made a game-winning 30-yard field goal in overtime to give the Jaguars a 20–17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.[31] In the 2017 season, Lambo converted 22 of 24 extra point attempts and 19 of 20 field goal attempts.[32] He converted all nine extra point attempts and all four field goal attempts in the Jaguars' postseason run.[33]

In Week 8 of the 2018 season, Lambo kicked a new career-long 57-yard field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles.[34] He was placed on injured reserve on December 28, 2018, with a groin injury.[35] In the 2018 season, Lambo converted 19 of 20 extra point attempts and 19 of 21 field goal attempts in 13 games.[36]

On February 13, 2019, Lambo signed a four-year, $15.5-million contract extension with the Jaguars.[37] In Week 4, Lambo converted two extra points and went 4-for-4 on field goals, including the game-winning 33-yarder as time expired in a 26–24 win over the Denver Broncos, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[38] In Week 7, Lambo hit all four of his field goals and an extra point in a 27–17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, earning him his second AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award of the season.[39] In the 2019 season, Lambo converted 19 of 20 extra point attempts and 33 of 34 field goal attempts.[40]

On September 23, 2020, Lambo was placed on injured reserve with a hip injury.[41] He was activated on October 22.[42] In Week 9, Lambo kicked a career-long and franchise-tying 59-yard field goal against the Houston Texans.[43] However, in the same game, he re-injured his hip on an onside kick attempt and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on November 9, 2020.[44]

On October 19, 2021, Lambo was released by the Jaguars.[45]

On December 15, Lambo accused first-year Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer of kicking him in the leg during warmups before the team's final preseason game.[46] This accusation would ultimately play a pivotal role in Meyer's firing early the next day.[47] He later filed a lawsuit against the team alleging that Meyer created a hostile work environment and the Jaguars did nothing to stop it.[48]

Pittsburgh Steelers

[edit]

On November 2, 2021, Lambo was signed to the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers.[49] He was released on November 11.[50]

Tennessee Titans

[edit]

On November 16, 2022, Lambo signed with the Tennessee Titans as an injury replacement for Randy Bullock.[51] Lambo made three of his four extra point attempts in a 27–17 win over the Green Bay Packers.[52] He was waived on November 21.[53]

On March 17, 2023, Lambo retired from professional sports.[54] As of 2024, he ranks as the eighth most accurate kicker in NFL history, and the most accurate of all kickers that are no longer active.[55]

Statistics

[edit]
Legend
Bold Career high
Regular season statistics
Year Team GP Field Goals Extra Points Total Points
FGM FGA FG% 20–29 30–39 40–49 50+ Lng XPM XPA XP%
2015 SD 16 26 32 81.3 4–4 7–7 11–16 4–5 54 28 32 87.5 106
2016 SD 16 26 32 81.3 7–7 13–14 6–8 0–3 47 46 42 91.3 120
2017 JAX 10 19 20 95 2–2 11–11 4–5 2–2 56 24 22 91.7 79
2018 JAX 13 19 21 90.5 4–4 8–8 3–4 4–5 57 19 20 95 76
2019 JAX 16 33 34 97.1 12–12 9–9 8–9 4–4 56 19 20 95 118
2020 JAX 4 5 5 100 0–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 59 8 10 80 23
2021 JAX 3 0 3 0.0 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–2 − 5 7 71.4 5
2022 TEN 1 0 0 0.0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 − 3 4 75 3
Total 79 128 146 87.1 29–29 50–51 33–44 16–23 59 146 163 89.6 530
Postseason statistics
Year Team GP Field Goals Extra Points Total Points
FGM FGA FG% <20 20−29 30−39 40−49 50+ Lng XPM XPA XP%
2017 JAX 3 4 4 100 0–0 0–0 0–0 3–3 1–1 54 9 9 100.0 21
Total 3 4 4 100 0–0 0–0 0–0 3–3 1–1 54 9 9 100 21

Personal life

[edit]

Lambo has been married twice: firstly to Amy,[15] and then a second time, to Megan Menefee from 2018 to 2021.[56][57]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA Data. Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). p. 22. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  2. ^ "Josh Lambo, Middleton , Kicker". 247Sports. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  3. ^ Oates, Tom (October 15, 2015). "NFL: Middleton's Josh Lambo right on target as Chargers' kicker". Madison.com. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  4. ^ "From Finch Farm To The NFL: The Josh Lambo Story". Everton FC. March 10, 2020. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  5. ^ "Rating the goalkeepers". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  6. ^ "2008 MLS SuperDraft". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  7. ^ "FC Dallas' Josh Lambo loaned to Tampy Bay Rowdies". Pegasus News. March 18, 2010. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012.
  8. ^ "USSF Division-2 Pro League". USSF.Demosphere.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2010.
  9. ^ Goff, Steven (January 23, 2012). "Update on D.C. United trialists". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  10. ^ Brewin, Joe (January 6, 2016). "Josh Lambo: Meet the Everton reject who became an NFL star". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  11. ^ "Life Between the Posts: NFL Kicker Josh Lambo Remembers YNT Career". US Soccer. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  12. ^ "FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007 – Matches – Belgium-USA". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2007.
  13. ^ "FIFA Tournaments – Players & Coaches – Josh LAMBO". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2016.
  14. ^ "Josh Lambo College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Josh Lambo – Football". Texas A&M Athletics - 12thMan.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  16. ^ Tapp, Connor (October 13, 2013). "Texas A&M comes from behind vs. Ole Miss". SBNation.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  17. ^ "Josh Lambo 2013 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  18. ^ "Josh Lambo 2014 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  19. ^ Verderame, Matt (January 17, 2015). "Rosters for the 2015 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl". SBNation.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  20. ^ "Josh Lambo Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  21. ^ "Josh Lambo, Texas AM, K, 2015 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  22. ^ Williams, Eric (May 3, 2015). "2015 San Diego Chargers undrafted free agents". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  23. ^ "Four Aggies Get NFL Chance in Free Agency". KBTX.com. May 2, 2015. Archived from the original on October 6, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  24. ^ Gehlken, Michael (September 5, 2015). "Chargers choose Josh Lambo, cut Nick Novak". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  25. ^ "Josh Lambo 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  26. ^ "2015 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  27. ^ Kerr-Dineen, Luke (December 24, 2016). "The look on the Chargers kicker's face after he lost to the Browns was absolutely priceless". For The Win. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  28. ^ "Josh Lambo 2016 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  29. ^ Henne, Ricky (September 2, 2017). "Los Angeles Chargers Cut Down Roster to 53". Chargers.com. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  30. ^ Oehser, John (October 17, 2017). "Jaguars sign K Lambo, release K Myers". Jaguars.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017.
  31. ^ Perroni, Brian (November 12, 2017). "Former A&M K Lambo wins game against team that cut him". 247Sports.com. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  32. ^ "Josh Lambo 2017 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  33. ^ "Josh Lambo Playoffs Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  34. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars – October 28th, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  35. ^ Levin, David (December 15, 2018). "Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo questionable for Sunday". Black and Teal. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  36. ^ "Josh Lambo 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  37. ^ Teope, Herbie (February 13, 2019). "Jaguars re-sign K Josh Lambo for 4 years, $15.5M". NFL.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  38. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (October 2, 2019). "Nick Chubb, Jameis Winston among Players of the Week". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  39. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (October 23, 2019). "Aaron Rodgers, Jacoby Brissett among Players of the Week". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  40. ^ "Josh Lambo 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  41. ^ Day, Ryan (September 23, 2020). "Jacksonville Jaguars place K Josh Lambo on injured reserve, will miss three weeks". Big Cat Country. SB Nation. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  42. ^ "Jaguars Make Roster Moves". Jaguars.com. October 22, 2020. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  43. ^ "Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars – November 8th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  44. ^ Smits, Garry (November 9, 2020). "Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo out for season after second hip injury; Aldrick Rosas re-signed". The Florida Times-Union. Jacksonville, Florida. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  45. ^ "Roster Moves: The Jaguars release K Josh Lambo". Jaguars.com. October 19, 2021. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  46. ^ Stroud, Rick (December 15, 2021). "Former Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo says he was kicked by Urban Meyer during warmups". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  47. ^ DiRocco, Michael (December 16, 2021). "Urban Meyer fired as Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach amid rocky first year". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  48. ^ DiRocco, Michael (May 10, 2022). "Josh Lambo sues Jacksonville Jaguars, alleges Urban Meyer created hostile work environment". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  49. ^ Varley, Teresa (November 2, 2021). "Steelers make roster moves". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  50. ^ Koehler, Allison (November 9, 2021). "Steelers release K Josh Lambo from practice squad". Steelers Wire. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  51. ^ Wyatt, Jim (November 16, 2022). "Titans Sign Kicker Josh Lambo to 53-Man Roster While Waiving WR Chris Conley". TennesseeTitans.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  52. ^ "Tennessee Titans at Green Bay Packers – November 17th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  53. ^ Wyatt, Jim (November 21, 2022). "Titans Waive K Josh Lambo, Add Two to Practice Squad". TennesseeTitans.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  54. ^ Dajani, Jordan (March 17, 2023). "Former Jaguars, Chargers kicker Josh Lambo retires from professional sports at 32". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  55. ^ FGlead
  56. ^ Blaylock, Jeanne (July 16, 2018). "Jags Kicker Josh Lambo's Wedding Pictures Are In!". First Coast News. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  57. ^ "MENEFEE, MEGAN R vs. LAMBO, JOSHUA G". UniCourt. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
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