| No. 2 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Placekicker | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | (1960-01-14)January 14, 1960 (age 65) Curimeo, Mexico | ||||
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 176 lb (80 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Don Antonio Lugo (CA) | ||||
| College: | La Verne | ||||
| Undrafted: | 1983 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||
| |||||
Joaquin Zendejas Jr. (born January 14, 1960) is a Mexican formerplacekicker in theNational Football League (NFL) for theNew England Patriots. He playedcollege football at theUniversity of La Verne.
Zendejas, was born inCurimeo, Mexico as part of nine children. His parents moved the family toChino, California.[1] He attendedDon Antonio Lugo High School, where he played as aforward insoccer.[1]
Zendejas accepted asoccer scholarship fromDivision IIIUniversity of La Verne.[2] He began to play football as a junior, kicking a school-record 55-yardfield goal againstPomona College, while making 22 out of 35 field goal attempts during the season.[3]
As a senior, he was limited with leg and shoulder injuries he suffered playingsoccer, which affected his production in football. To rest his right leg, he used his left foot for kickoffs and also to score a 52-yardfield goal against the Southern California's junior-varsity team.[4] He finished his college career after making 29 out of 52field goal attempts.[5]
Zendejas was signed as anundrafted free agent by theSan Diego Chargers after the1983 NFL draft. He also was selected by theBoston Breakers in the 23rd round (275th overall) of the1983 USFL Draft. He was the first of the Zendejas family to reach theNFL. He made his only field goal attempt (a 49-yarder) during the preseason. He was waived on August 23, after not being able to passRolf Benirschke on the depth chart.[6]
On December 6,1983, he was signed as afree agent by theNew England Patriots, to replace kickerFred Steinfort, who had missed 6 of his last 8 field goal attempts.[7] He appeared in the last 2 games and became the first kicker in Patriots history, to play in the regular season without kicking in their home stadium (Sullivan Stadium). On July 26,1984, he was cut after not being able to passTony Franklin on the depth chart, who was acquired in a trade in February.[8]
In July1984, he was signed as afree agent by theSan Francisco 49ers. On August 13, he was released after not being able to passRay Wersching on the depth chart.[9]
His brothersLuis andMax also played professional football. His nephew, Alex Zendejas Jr. was aplacekicker for theUniversity of Arizona. His cousinsTony Zendejas andMarty Zendejas also had success in college and professional football.[5]