New Jersey native looks to make history as Detroit Lions kicker in NFC Championship game
Michael Badgley is making the most out of his second time around.
Since regaining the Detroit Lions' kicking job last month, the New Jersey native continues to gain momentum and the trust of his teammates.
“It’s good to be back. I’m getting used to and comfortable with the team,” said Badgley, a Summit native. “It’s easy knowing everyone in the locker room and them knowing me. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.”
Emotions are running high for Badgley and the Lions (14-5) heading into Sunday’s NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers (13-5) at Levi's Stadium (6:30 p.m., FOX) in Santa Clara, California.
It’s the franchise’s biggest game in 32 years since last playing in the NFC title game in 1991.
Six weeks ago, the Lions made a surprise move on special teams when they changed kickers ahead of a Week 15 home matchup against the Denver Broncos. Badgley got the nod over Riley Patterson, the starter all season, as a result of a weeks-long kicking competition that started following a Week 10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Badgley was elevated from the practice squad on Dec. 16 and was re-signed to the active roster on Dec. 29.
“There’s not much of a difference in my confidence compared to the past. My confidence level doesn’t change,” said Badgley, who is in his second stint with the Lions in the last year, having played in 14 games in 2022. “But having familiarity with the team and the fans makes it easier to do my job and perform.”
Since returning, Badgley has been perfect on field goal attempts, going 6-for-6, including two conversions in each of the Lions' postseason wins. His 54-yard field goal in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card game proved to be the difference in a 24-23 win. It was Badgley’s longest kick as a Lion and the second longest of his career since nailing a 59-yarder his rookie season with the Chargers in 2018.
Michael Badgley: Retracing his New Jersey roots
Badgley grew up in Summit and was a multi-sport standout athlete at Summit High School where he starred in football, hockey and lacrosse. In 2012 he guided the Hilltoppers to back-to-back state titles in all three sports.
On the football field he played on both sides of the ball − as a running back and defensive back and even quarterback. In his senior year in 2012, he guided the Union County school to the NJSIAA North 2, Group 3 football championship, a 30-0 victory over Palisades Park at MetLife Stadium. In that game, he scored a rushing touchdown, kicked several extra points and a field goal, and snatched an interception.
After leaning toward playing Division I lacrosse, Badgley decided to pursue his football and kicking career and enrolled for one year at Fork Union Military Academy. Coming out of a post-graduate program at FUMA, Badgley was rated the No. 1 kicker, which led to a four-year stop at the University of Miami. Badgley is the Hurricanes' all-time leader in field goals made.
“I never really thought kicking would take me anywhere,” said Badgley, who earned All-ACC honors his senior year at Miami in 2017. “Since grade school I was my team’s kicker. It wasn’t until sophomore year of high school that I started to put time into kicking. I went to a summer kicking camp and continued to work at it.”
Badgley’s professional career has been equally impressive. He’s been a model of consistency since breaking into the league with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He has spent the last six years playing for seven teams, including two stints with three different organizations. In 67 career games, he’s connected on 82.6 percent of his field goal attempts.
With the Lions one win away from their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, Badgley has trust in his leg and is focused on each opportunity. Some members of his family back home in Summit are flying out to the game to be a part of the festivities.
“I’ve always kept the mindset that I could get the call at any time to help the team,” Badgley said. “When you get to play, every kick matters. I go week-to-week and stay ready for when my name is called.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Michael Badgley of Summit NJ out to make history as Detroit Lions kicker
