ja_mageia

Nick Folk was born and raised in Sherman Oaks, California where he attended Notre Dame High School and went on to attend the University of Arizona.  In 2007, the Dallas Cowboys selected Nick in the sixth round (178th overall). Since the NFL Draft was reduced to seven rounds in 1994, the Cowboys had never spent a draft choice on a punter or a placekicker. Within a few short months, Folk went on to become the first ever rookie Pro Bowl kicker. Folk became only the third placekicker in club history to be selected to the Pro Bowl, joining Efren Herrera (1977) and Rafael Septien (1981). He also became the first Dallas rookie at any position to earn a trip to Hawaii since Emmitt Smith in 1990.

After taking the job in training camp from veteran Martin Gramatica, Folk never looked back as he provided clutch field goals through his rookie campaign and improved through his second season. In 2008, Folk converted 20-of-22 field goal attempts for a 90.9 conversion percentage - third in a season in team history. Nick also converted all 42 PAT tries to extend his streak to 95 straight - tied with Richie Cunningham for third and just five shy of Danny Villanueva's club record (100 from 1965-67).

Nick's cousin, Blake Robinson, was diagnosed with NF1 at the age of 18 months and at that time, his doctors found an optic glioma (tumor) in his brain. Blake remained stable for almost six years thereafter but over the past two years, he has undergone four brain surgeries for tumor growth and over a year of chemotherapy.  During that time, his doctors have found two more tumors in his brain and two in his pelvis. 

Nick expressed interest in working with the Children's Tumor Foundation to help bring attention to neurofibromatosis, raise funds for research and support Blake and all of those who suffer from the disorder.  Nick hopes that his efforts will inspire others to join in the cause in funding the vital research needed to provide treatments and a cure for NF.

Our Sponsors: