Three Strides For Three Brothers: Gramatica Is First To Kick In NFL

LaBELLE, Fla. - Martin Gramatica hopes that one day his name will go down in NFL history, just like Gogolak, Mike-Mayer and Zendejas.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie is the oldest of three kicking Gramatica brothers, and he wants to start a tradition to rival that of other NFL kicking families.

"It starts with me doing my part," said Gramatica, a 23-year-old native of Argentina. "It's a dream for our family to have all of us playing in the league at the same time. But I'm the first. I have to set the example."

If Gramatica makes the team - which coaches say is likely - he will then pass the torch to his 20-year-old brother, Bill, who kicks for the University of South Florida, and his 17-year-old brother, Santiago, who is kicking for LaBelle High School.

Martin Gramatica was drafted by the Buccaneers with the 80th overall pick from Kansas State, the highest pick used on a kicker since the Denver Broncos selected Jason Elam from the University of Hawaii in 1993.

For a team to use such a high draft pick on a kicker, the player has to show great promise, said Buccaneers special teams coach Joe Marciano.

"When he hits the ball, it sounds like a cannon going off," Marciano said. "We won't be afraid to send him out for 55-yarders if conditions are good."

Leg strength could be his greatest asset. Gramatica's 65-yard field goal against Northern Illinois last year was the longest in college or NFL history without the use of a kicking tee and the

fourth-longest field goal in NCAA history.

Along with brother Bill, a junior All-American, the Gramaticas became the first brothers to earn first team All-American honors in the same season; Bill in Division I-AA and Martin in I-A.

If Bill, and later Santiago, can join Martin in the NFL, they will join an exclusive list of family kicking duos.

According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Bobby and Ian Howfield were the only father-son kicker duo in NFL history, although they didn't play at the same time. Bobby played for the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets in a career that lasted from 1968 to 1974, while Ian played for the Houston Oilers in 1991.

Brothers were more common: Pete Gogolak played from 1964-74 and Charlie from 1966-72; Nick Mike-Mayer played from 1973-83 and Steve from 1975-80; Chris Bahr played from 1976-89 and Matt from 1979-95.

The Zendejas family had an even stronger run: Brothers Joaquin played in 1983, Max from 1986-88 and Luis from 1987-89. Cousin Tony, the most successful, played from 1985-95.

When Martin was drafted by the Bucs in April, his parents, William and Laura, couldn't have been happier.

They are within a two-hour drive of watching each of their boys playing football.

"It was a blessing," said Gramatica's father, William. "I used to drive 24 hours to Kansas, taking a little break to sleep on the way. Now, we can see all our boys in a short trip. We're very, very proud."