Former Clemson punter Bradley Pinion's goals for BMW golf: Meet Larry the Cable Guy, not be worst celebrity
This time last year, Bradley Pinion found himself unemployed for the first time in his seven-year NFL career.
Armed with a solid resume, it didn’t take long for Pinion get a call.
“I was jobless for a week,” said Pinion, who was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after three seasons with the team.
When the Atlanta Falcons came calling, Pinion didn’t have to labor over his decision.
“It was a no-brainer for us,” Pinion said. “That’s really where we wanted to go.”
To say things worked out well would be an understatement.
The former Clemson punter – the lone punter selected in the 2015 NFL Draft – responded with the best season of his career, averaging 45.9 yards per punt. His efforts included a career-long 73-yard punt at Seattle and five games in which he averaged at least 51 yards per kick.
Next up?
How about some more solid ball striking as he competes as a celebrity in the Korn Ferry Tour’s BMW Charity Pro-Am golf tournament beginning Thursday (12 p.m., Golf Channel) at Greer’s Thornblade Club.
“I don’t want to make a fool of myself out there,” Pinion said. “My goal is to not be the worst celebrity out there.”
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Whatever the result, Pinion can’t lose. He’s eager to meet Larry the Cable Guy, the stand-up comedian he’s been a fan of for years, and country music star Chris Lane.
He also hopes to meet NBA player and former Duke standout Seth Curry and reunite with former Georgia running back Todd Gurley, whom he first met when they were high school standouts in North Carolina.
After earning USA TODAY All-USA honors as a senior at Central Cabarrus High in Concord, North Carolina, Pinion played three seasons at Clemson before deciding to enter the NFL Draft.
“All those years ago when I decided to leave Clemson early, it was a good choice,” Pinion said.
He played his first four seasons with the 49ers, then three years with the Buccaneers before being released. But Pinion was rewarded for his strong 2022 season with the Falcons by receiving a three-year $8.65 million deal in March.
In Atlanta, he has been reunited with former Clemson teammate Grady Jarrett. Jarrett, who’s one of the highest-paid defensive linemen in the NFL, shares another common bond with Pinion – both were drafted in the fifth round.
“I’m very happy to be with the Falcons,” said Pinion, who lives in the Upstate on Lake Keowee. “I’ve landed with an organization that’s on the up. They’ve got a really good culture, really good coaches and a young team. Me and Grady are two of the oldest guys on the team, both in year nine.”
During his previous eight years as a pro, Pinion has experienced both the highest of highs and lowest of lows.
“I’ve been on a two-win team and I’ve been on a Super Bowl team,” Pinion said.
The two-win team was the 49ers in 2016; his Super Bowl ring came courtesy of Tampa Bay’s 31-9 win against Kansas City in 2020.
“I’ve seen a lot, been through a lot,” said Pinion, including labrum surgery prior to last season that required considerable rehab.
His focus now? To continue extending his NFL career.
“That’s my goal,” he said. “To keep fooling them one year at a time.”
Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ScottKeepfer
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Former Clemson punter Bradley Pinion on Atlanta Falcons, BMW golf event
