Bradley Pinion

Bradley Alexander Pinion (born June 1, 1994) is an American football punter for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

Early life
Pinion attended Northwest Cabarrus High School in Concord, North Carolina. He committed to Clemson University to play college football.

College career
Pinion played college football at Clemson from 2012 to 2014 under head coach Dabo Swinney.

As a freshman in 2012, Pinion only appeared in five games with teammate Spencer Benton doing a majority of the work that season. On September 8, Pinion made his collegiate debut in the 52–27 win over Ball State. In the game, he had three punts for 117 yards (39.0 average). Overall, in the 2012 season, Pinion had nine punts for 355 yards (39.4 average).

As a sophomore in 2013, Pinion became the main punter for the Tigers. That season, he handled the punting duties for all but three attempts, which went to Ammon Lakip and Andy Teasdall. In the season opener, against the Georgia Bulldogs, Pinion had a season-high seven punts for a season-high 287 yards (41.0 average). In the next game against South Carolina State, he had four punts for 195 yards for a season-high 48.8 average. Overall, in the 2013 season, Pinion had 56 punts for 2,205 yards for a 39.4 average.

As a junior in 2014, Pinion continued his role as the main punter for the Tigers. That season, he handled all but one punt, which went to Andy Teasdall. Pinion attempted and converted three extra points on the season. In the season opener, against the Georgia Bulldogs, Pinion had a season-high 10 punts for a season-high 451 yards (45.1 average). In two consecutive games in October, against Louisville and Boston College, he recorded games with 10 punts in each contest with 419 and 418 net punting yards respectively. On November 6, against Wake Forest, he recorded three punts for 147 net yards for a season-high 49.0 average. In his final collegiate game, against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Russell Athletic Bowl, Pinion recorded five punts for 217 yards (43.4 average). Throughout his junior season, teammates referred to Pinion as "the steering column" for his remarkable control over the direction of his punts.

Pinion elected to forgo his senior season and decided to enter the NFL draft.

2015 season
Pinion was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round, 165th overall, of the 2015 NFL draft. He was the only punter to be selected in the draft that year.

During the season-opening 20–3 over the Minnesota Vikings, Pinion had three punts for 140 yards (46.67 average) in his NFL debut. During a narrow Week 9 17–16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Pinion recorded five punts for 241 net yards for a season-high 48.2 average. During a Week 13 26–20 overtime road victory over the Chicago Bears, he had nine punts for a season-high 433 yards (48.11 average).

Pinion finished his rookie season with 91 punts for 3,969 yards for a 43.62 average.

2016 season
Pinion began his second NFL season with very similar statistics in the first three games. During the season-opening 28–0 shutout victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Pinion recorded seven punts for 319 yards (45.57 average). In the next game against the Carolina Panthers, he had seven punts for 318 yards (45.43 average) during the 46–27 road loss. The following week against the Seattle Seahawks, Pinion recorded seven punts for 319 yards in the 37–18 road loss.

During a Week 5 33–21 loss the Arizona Cardinals, Pinion recorded seven punts for 349 yards for a season-high 49.86 average. During a narrow Week 16 22–21 road victory over the Rams, he recorded a season-high nine punts for a season-high 372 net yards (41.33 average).

Pinion finished his second professional season with 100 punts for 4,402 net yards for a 44.02 average in 2016. His 100 punts led the league in attempts.

2017 season
During a Week 4 18–15 overtime road loss to the Cardinals, Pinion recorded seven punts for 351 yards for a season-high 50.14 average. During a Week 8 33–10 road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, he had eight punts for a season-high 364 yards (44.00 average). During a Week 12 24–13 loss to the Seahawks, Pinion recorded a season-high nine punts for 342 yards (38.00 average). Pinion recorded a then career-low 75 punts for 3,255 yards for a 43.4 average in 2017.

2018 season
During the season-opening 24–16 road loss to the Vikings, Pinion recorded four punts for 174 yards. During a Week 9 37–3 victory over the Oakland Raiders, Pinion recorded three punts for 164 yards for a 54.7 average, including a season-long 64-yard punt. His performance against the Raiders earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Pinion recorded a then career-low 68 punts for 2,973 yards for a 43.7 average in 2018.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On March 13, 2019, Pinion signed a four-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Overall, Pinion played in all 16 games and recorded a then career-low 57 punts for 2,464 yards for a 43.23 average in 2019. Pinion was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 15, 2020, and activated three days later. Overall, Pinion played in all 16 games and recorded a career-low 55 punts for 2,486 yards for a 45.2 average in 2020. He appeared in Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs and punted four times for 150 yards for a 37.5 net average during the 31–9 victory.

During the narrow 2021 season-opening 31–29 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Pinion punted four times with an average of 49.3 yards, including three inside the 10-yard line, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. In the 2021 season, Pinion punted 56 times for 2,378 yards for a 42.46 average.

On June 22, 2022, Pinion was released by the Buccaneers.

Atlanta Falcons
On June 30, 2022, Pinion signed with the Falcons. During a Week 3 27–23 road victory over the Seahawks, he recorded a career-long 73 yard punt. Pinion finished the 2022 season with 62 punts for 2,845 yards for a 42.46 average.

On March 13, 2023, Pinion signed a three-year, $8.65 million contract extension with the Falcons. In the 2023 season, Pinion had 75 punts for 3,523 yards for a 46.97 average.

Personal life
Pinion is married to Kaeleigh Pinion. He is a Christian. Pinion is also a supporter of Compassion International.