In 1977 Russell Erxleben Hit the NCAA record for the longest field goal in D1 College History. From there, he was drafted #11 overall by the New Orleans Saints before he began a storied criminal career ending up with multiple felony convictions and stints in prison…
If you enjoyed the video please let us know through a like, comment, or subscribing:
Thanks so much for watching!
Sources for entire video (+research and brainstorming) as well as article clippings:
(Big Shoutout to the Crime in Sports Podcast whose podcast on Erxleben was invaluable in the research process)
Truncated Script:
October 1st, 1977 – The Undefeated #8 Texas Longhorns are bulldozing the 1-3 Rice Owls 54-7. Midway through the third quarter, they face a 4th-and-16 at the Rice 49 yard line. Texas coach Fred Akers asks kicker Russell Erxleben – “Can you kick it?”
Erxleben answers: “Yes sir” … Or Something like that (Graphic)
It’s an inconceivable move – a 67 yard field goal
Though, Erxleben’s hit from 73 yards in practice(graphic).
His Southwest Conference place kicking Rivals; Tony Franklin of Texas A&M and Steve Little of Arkansas, have both hit from 60+ (graphic).
It’s personal too: Erxleben is tired of hearing about Franklin’s bare-footed 60+ yarders.+.
But that wasn’t the only reason to believe Erxleben would kick the then-record for longest major D1 college football field goal. He has the tool that turned good specialists into absurd launching machines – the two inch kicking block
It’s difficult to understate the difference that a relatively small piece of rubber makes in kicking (video). Imagine entering a golf long drive contest with vs. without a tee. A kicking tee increases the sweet spot size on the football which allows for more margin of error, and lets a kicker increase ball flight height and distance significantly. It can add 10-15 yards to kicks easily.
But to many, punting was viewed as Erxleben’s strong suit.
He is the only three-time All-American punter in NCAA history (check). The NCAA leader in punt average his Sophomore year with 46.6 Yards/punt – with hang times on some of his punts in the 5.3-5.5 second range. Erxleben even rather absurdly claimed to have hit a 140 yard punt.
Since I don’t know quite as much about punting as I do kicking, I decided to bring in a punting expert. Here is former Clemson and Atlanta Falcon punter Dawson Zimmerman on Erxleben’s unique form:
But you know who isn’t doing that kind of close analysis? The 1978 New Orleans Saints. They draft him in the first round. #11 Overall. And you want to know the most absurd part? Other teams were mad. Eagles Coach Dick Vermiel wanted him in the first round (They opted for Tony Franklin instead at #74 overall – just 8 spots ahead of Joe Montana). The Patriots tried trading up from #25 to select Erxleben.
He doesn’t do that. Not even close. He is horrendous in the NFL. 4/8 field goals lifetime. Averages just 40.6 yards a punt. He never fixes the problems that Zimmerman explained that caused inconsistency. Adding insult to injury hall of fame tight end Kellen Winslow was drafted by the Chargers just two spots behind Erxleben at #13 overall
The injury report will show various lower back and leg injuries, but it was his psyche that seemed to suffer the biggest blow.
Erxleben said, “when I missed a field goal at Texas I didn’t think about it. They’re always putting million dollar kicker in front of my name. Why can’t I just be the kicker for New Orleans?
And that’s when his criminal career essentially begins. He starts out with a few simple failures: a mexican seafood processing plant, pyramid schemes with pet food and clothing, long distance telephone billing companies.
According to a 1999 Austin-American Statesman Article, “Erxleben and his defunct Austin Forex International investment company took in $50 million from 800 investors – Investors and state regulators claimed that Erxleben committed fraud and essentially operated a Ponzi scheme in which early investors were repaid with money from later investors.”
He pleads guilty and is sentenced to serving up to 7 years in federal prison.
After being freed from prison in 2005, Erxleben gets right back to work stealing people’s money. He once again cashes in on his personal fame and charisma, convincing investors they would make a fortune on German Government bearer bonds as well as an artwork by Paul Gogain.
Spoiler, they didn’t. It was another ponzi scheme totalling $2 million. He later pleads guilty to using investment proceeds for personal uses, paying off dividends to previous investors to feign a profit, and lying to investors about their insurmountable losses. He’s sentenced to 90 months in federal prison.
And that, is how you go from a 67 yard field goal to convicted Felon. Thanks for watching.
