Johnny Hekker: Undrafted to Elite Punter in 2015

In the month of October, rookie running back Todd Gurley of the St. Louis Rams took the league by storm with 433 rushing yards and two touchdowns in three starts. This early in his career, Gurley is already the face of a franchise that has suffered several years of mediocrity since their Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots back in 2002. However, there was another Ram who received recognition from the National Football League this month.

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His name is Johnny Hekker, and he was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month this October for his punting abilities.

During the month of October, Hekker averaged 48.3 yards per punt while netting 43.8 yards per punt. Per ESPN, one out of every four punts kicked by Hekker in October, had landed inside the opponent’s 10-yard line.

Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; St. Louis Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

I had the pleasure of meeting punter Johnny Hekker of the St. Louis Rams and his wife Makayla during the spring of 2015 whilst volunteering in Sacramento. I recall introducing myself to the very large redheaded human being and showing him the Rams logo on my athletic shorts with a smile on my face. His eyes immediately widened and he shouted in absolute excitement that he actually found a St. Louis Rams fan in Northern California.

Johnny and I were able to talk for a few minutes, mainly about the upcoming 2015 season for the St. Louis Rams. When I told him that he is a great punter and an inspiration, he jokingly told me that he hoped to record zero punts during the season because he wanted the offense to score a touchdown on every single drive. What a team player.

Even though we only spoke briefly, I could tell that Johnny was an extremely charismatic and compassionate individual. He is very humorous and witty, having his own comedic radio show on 101 ESPN called “What the Hekk”, and owns a shirt that hilariously says “Punters Are People Too”. He’s definitely become a fan favorite in St. Louis. Not every team can say that about their own punter.

Hekker has such a fantastic mix of personality, leadership, and on-field ability.

By attaining Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors through his first four years in the NFL, I’m sure everyone is more than satisfied with Johnny Hekker as the punter of the St. Louis Rams. But where exactly did Johnny Hekker come from?

Next: The History of Hekker