Chris Kluwe
No headshot available
Career Summary
Chris Kluwe was an NFL punter who played eight seasons with Minnesota.
Kluwe appeared in 127 regular-season games, punting 623 times for 27,683 yards with a 44.5-yard gross average and 37.3-yard net average.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
Early Life
Kluwe was born in Philadelphia and attended Los Alamitos High School in California.
UCLA listed Kluwe's birth date as December 24, 1981, and identified Los Alamitos High School as his preparatory school.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
High School
Kluwe was a highly decorated punter and placekicker at Los Alamitos High School.
He was a USA Today first-team All-American punter and a first-team All-CIF Division I punter in each of his final two seasons. As a senior, he averaged 46.6 yards per punt, made 16 of 22 field goals and made 39 of 41 extra points.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
College Career
Kluwe set UCLA single-season punting records and became a Ray Guy Award finalist.
In 2003, Kluwe set UCLA records with 3,908 punting yards and 91 punts while averaging 42.9 yards and placing 19 punts inside the 20. He finished with 93 career punts for 3,977 yards and was a Ray Guy Award finalist.
Section reviewed
Path to the NFL
Kluwe entered the NFL as an undrafted Seattle free agent before Minnesota claimed him in 2005.
The Seahawks initially signed Kluwe after the 2005 draft, and the Vikings claimed him on waivers before the season.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
NFL Career
Kluwe handled Minnesota's punting duties for eight seasons from 2005 through 2012.
Kluwe punted in all 16 games in each season from 2006 through 2012. His 2012 campaign produced a career-best 39.7-yard net average, and he owns Minnesota's career gross-punting record.
Section reviewed
Career Accomplishments
Kluwe set Vikings career punting marks and ranked among the franchise's most consistent punters.
He owns Minnesota's franchise record with a 44.4-yard career punting average and ranks second in net average at 37.3 yards. Vikings coverage later noted he was in the conversation for the best punter in franchise history based on statistics, consistency and longevity.
Section reviewed
Playing Style
Kluwe combined a strong leg with placement ability.
His NFL career included 198 punts downed inside the 20, and his 2012 net average of 39.7 yards was a career best. UCLA described his leg strength as a key asset in his record-setting college season.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
Legacy
Kluwe remains the Vikings' career leader in gross punting average.
His 623 punts and 27,683 yards established a durable eight-season Minnesota record, while later Vikings coverage highlighted his standing among the franchise's leading punters.
Section reviewed
20726, 00-0023060, 1981-12-24, Chris Kluwe, Chris, Kluwe
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
Compare current players by position using the transparent MFT statistical model.