County Native, Robbie Gould Playing in Super Bowl LIV
Good Luck from all of Clinton County
Got the Chance and Took It
By John Lipez
The Record and therecord-online hope you’re enjoying our special tribute on Robbie Gould as much as we had in preparing it.
The Gould story is all about determination, a goal to succeed. While researching material for this issue, I came across a Record story from the spring of 2005. At the time Robbie was finishing his Penn State schooling while waiting for his break. And then it began to happen, or more appropriately, Robbie’s hard work made it happen.
Here’s that story from April 27, 2005:
STATE COLLEGE — All Robbie Gould ever wanted was a chance and Monday the four-year Penn State kicker got his chance, inking a free agent contract with the New England Patriots.
Gould, the former Central Mountain High School standout from Lock Haven, had been looked at by some 12 National Football League teams and considered casting his lot with New England, Pittsburgh and Detroit. He chose the world champion Patriots for an opportunity to work in an outstanding special teams program and with arguably the best kicker in the NFL, Adam Vinatieri.
Reached Monday, signing day, Gould told The Record he was excited to “get a chance to do it.” He said the Patriots told him they’d bring him in and develop him as a placekicker with the opportunity to be a kickoff specialist. He said he’ll be able to “learn from the best,” the 32-year-old Vinatieri, a perennial Pro Bowl performer; he said that opportunity helped his decision to go to New England.
Gould will be in the Patriots’ preseason mini-camp this Thursday through Sunday, return to Penn State for two weeks to finish his schooling (he’s a management major), then return to Foxboro for the summer. Gould’s deal is expected to see him on the team at least through the first few preseason exhibitions.
The former Central Mountain multi-sport star said he hopes to have enough preseason success to earn a berth there and if not, “hopefully I’ll be seen and get on a team somewhere else.”
The rest is part of NFL history. Let go by the Patriots, Gould had a several week stay with the Baltimore Ravens but was cut and returned home and was working for Jim Russo at M & R Contracting when he got a call from the Chicago Bears, went to Chicago and earned a berth there, signing on Oct. 8 2005. Given the chance, he has gone on to become one of the elite kickers in the NFL.
As was written in Down River in last week’s Record, in addition to his great footwork, Gould has been a great goodwill ambassador for his home county.
I can’t think of any Clinton County native to achieve the national level of sports success as has the now 37-year-old Mr. Gould.
Who else can we think of? Gray Simons was a notable national wrestler half a century ago at Lock Haven University but he was a Norfolk, VA native. There have been a few exceptional football players from the county at Penn State and Penn State/Lock Haven High grad Bill Bowes had an exemplary football coaching career at New Hampshire, but if you want to be picky, Bill was born and raised in Blanchard, Centre County.
As good as amateur baseball has been and continues to be in the area, the county has turned out virtually no professional baseball players of any level of acclaim. Next to Robbie’s accomplishments on a national scale, next on the list would be the Keystone Little League team from 2011, a team that gathered quite the following at the Little League World Series and attracted record-breaking crowds that still stand today.
So Robbie is the guy when it comes to national notoriety. He didn’t hurt his national profile with his performance two Sundays ago in San Francisco’s takedown of the Green Bay Packers. All he did was go 3-for-3 in field goals and 4-for-4 in extra points. Among them was a clutch 54-yarder in the first half when the game was still very much in doubt.
We are proud to join in the salute to a young man who is much more than splitting the uprights with a football; he has given so much to the communities where he has resided and so much to Clinton County through his Goulden Foundation.
We hope you’ll enjoy reading about his accomplishments, both on the field and off.
From: High School Basketball Coach Steve Turchetta
I had the honor of being Robbie’s varsity basketball coach at CMHS. Robbie played on one the most talented basketball teams in CMHS history. In 2 years his team lost a total of 4 games. Robbie was a leader for that group, He was a dedicated and committed along with athletic student/athlete. Robbie had a strong work ethic and competitiveness that made him stand out in athletics and the classroom. Robbie carried that attitude year round while he was in high school. Robbie spent his summers in the weight room, participating in summer leagues for soccer and basketball, attending workouts for football and attending kicking camps. He always thrived against the toughest competition. I recall one night when he dropped 33 points against State College. Robbie not only could score but he played unselfishly and was one of the team’s top assist leaders. On defense Robbie enjoyed the challenge of defending the opposing team’s top scorer.
Robbie was a gifted high school student/athlete. He was a standout athlete on each team he participated on. He still holds school records in soccer, basketball and football. What I admire the most about Robbie is his desire to excel and be the best. He always accepted challenges and proved his doubters wrong. Coming out of high school there were doubters of him becoming a Division 1 kicker. After college, it was becoming a kicker in the NFL. In every situation, Robbie was given an opportunity and he made the most of it. It takes a special person to accomplish what Robbie has done in his career. Robbie didn’t get where he is today alone. He had strong support from his family, especially his parents, Robbie and Cheryl.
I always believe that success is not measured by how many points, goals or field goals that are made but what kind of man you have become. Robbie is truly a great role model for our youth and community. He has been recognized by the NFL for his charity work in the Goulden Touch Foundation. He supports and gives back to his local community where he grew up. He is a good friend, son, husband and father. I think of no one more deserving of a Super Bowl ring. Good luck Robbie! Go Niners
From: Retired Lock Haven High wrestling coach/sports historian Tom Elling
The couple of things I remember about Robbie’s career had to do with the Big 33. Robbie was overlooked on the AP All-State team of the fall of 2000. It so happened that one of the key selectors was hospital bound and reportedly had Robbie on his list. Rich Vetock and I were producing PFN (Pennsylvania Football News) at the time and one of the Big 33 directors asked our opinion of who we would select as our PFN All-State team kicker since we had covered the state and attended many games. Without hesitation, I said I thought Gould was the best kicker in the state.
He was selected and impressed head coach Jim Rankin (North Allegheny) during the practices. Rankin told us at one of the practices that whatever college got Robbie would have a gem. Seems he was kicking FG in practice not only strong and long but also with both feet. Then the storybook ending as Robbie with just 43-seconds left in the game versus Ohio times his steps after a low snap to Ed Hinkle (his holder) and nailed a wobbly 19-yard game-winning FG. PA 31 Ohio 29.
From: Retired Lock Haven/Central Mountain High School soccer coach Abe Stauffer
Robbie Gould was one of the best soccer players I coached in my 33 years as a head coach, and I coached a lot of great soccer players over the years. He was very competitive. He was hard working both on the game field and the practice field. He scored 46 goals his senior year which is still the CMHS single season goal scoring record. As far as I know his 46 goals is also the career CMHS goal scoring record. I knew he would succeed in college athletics. I believe he could have played Div I Soccer. I don’t know much about kicking a football. I know the mechanics are very similar of course so I knew he could kick somewhere in college. He worked hard at his craft and had success at Penn State of course and now in the NFL. I believe that same competitiveness and work ethic has kept him in good shape physically and also mentally. As Yogi Berra said, and I’m paraphrasing I think, “half of this game is 90% mental.” The same can be said for both soccer and place kicking. Through my soccer connections I know Chris and Matt Bahr and I think pro Robbie’s career might be as long as theirs was or even longer. His pro stats speak for themselves.
In 2000 Robbie scored the lone goal in Central Mountain’s D-6 championship game versus State College on Jeffrey Field with 11 seconds to go as he beat the keeper 1v1. I didn’t have much to do to help Robbie be the good soccer player he was. All I had to do was put him in the right position and get the team tactics right. His father Robbie, Sr. was an All-American player at Lock Haven State with a NCAA National Championship in 1980. So he grew up in a soccer family. And that always helps a player’s development. His father coached him both at home and on youth teams. So my job was easy.
From: James Gallagher, Central Mountain assistant baseball coach/ex-Central Mountain basketball player
As a fifth grader I remember Robbie refereeing my elementary basketball games on Saturday mornings. He would always take the time and interact with all the kids. After the games he would shoot around and play knock out with us. You always wanted him to ref your games. Even if he wasn’t refereeing your games and he saw you he would say hello and ask you how you were doing.
When I graduated the fifth grade at Mill Hall elementary he showed up and wished me congratulations. That to me sticks out in my mind the most about Robbie.
We watched most of his games at Penn State on TV and always rooted for him. I remember him signing autographs at Mill Hall Post Office the spring after his freshman year.
After he received a call from the Chicago Bears we followed them and him throughout his tenure there. Watching him play in the Super Bowl against the Colts and Payton Manning was fun to see. Robbie kicking in the skills competition at Pro Bowl was a neat event. It was like horse playing basketball. Robbie was invited to throw out the first pitch for the Chicago Cubs and then sing Take Me out to the Tall Game.
Then I followed and cheered him on for the Giants and 49ers. Whenever his team is on I try to always watch his games. He’s had a long and successful career and for a kicker that says a lot; your room for error is very small. He’s one of 32 in the world to be kicking for an NFL team. Robbie is beloved in Chicago I think because of his caring personality and big heart. He’s been a role model for kids in our area for years. He was one of the reasons I wanted to get into coaching and to give back to youth in Clinton County. So go 49ers and good luck Robbie. Good as Gould!!!
From: Mike Packer, LHHS/Central Mountain football coach/athletic director
I have many memories about Robbie Gould from the time he came to me and wanted to play two sports, football and soccer. I began to think, “Can this young man handle two sports?” and “Is he athletic enough to do two sports?” Definitely. Was he a good student? Yes, definitely. Lastly, was he a good person? Again, definitely. I went to the principal and told him I think he should be allowed to play both sports and THE REST IS HISTORY.
After that I remember Robbie kicking the winning goal at the end of the district championship game in soccer his senior year. Of course Robbie kicked many field goals in high school football. The one I remember very well was in the play-offs when he kicked a 47 or 48 yard field. My thought after that kick was, “This young man is going to go far” and he certainly did.
ROBBIE GOOD LUCK IN THE SUPER BOWL and I’m so proud of how far you’ve come!
From: Kyle Miller, kicking specialist, Central Mountain/Lycoming College
Growing up I played soccer but as a ninth-grader, in preseason, I decided to switch to football. Because they had no kicker and because of my soccer experience, I began to kick. The transition to football was made easier because of the Gould brothers and their transition from soccer to football. Robbie’s younger brother, Chris “Beep” Gould, was following in his brother’s footsteps as a standout kicker. Robbie was already making a name for himself at Penn State and Beep was in his junior year at Central Mountain. He was a positive influence on my kicking development, as was Central Mountain head coach, Steve Turchetta.
I kicked for the ninth grade team and then as a sophomore, for the jayvees, as Beep was a senior that year. We would kick together and he assisted me in my development. Because of the Gould influence, I attended kicking camps at Pitt and Penn State and went on to kick at Lycoming College. Robbie started a 12-year string of successful Central Mountain kickers: Robbie, Beep, myself and Nathan Conway who followed me. The Goulds gave me a track to pursue my kicking career.
As for Robbie, to go from a kid at Central Mountain to the Super Bowl, no one has ever done what he has done. I wish him nothing but good luck in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
The Goulden Touch Foundation:
• Started The Goulden Touch Foundation in 2011, which has partnered with several key organizations in education, social services, health and wellness, and medical research to help those in need. Annually, The Golden Touch hosts the Windy City Kicker Golf Classic in Gould’s hometown area of Clinton County, PA and has raised over $285,000 for Clinton County area programs. In 2016, Gould hosted a Celebrity Golf Invitational, which raised over $940,000 for The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
• Following 11 seasons with the Chicago Bears, Gould formed a special bond with the city of Chicago. Despite being removed from the city for more than a year, the Chicago Cubs invited him to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and sing the seventh inning stretch in July of 2017.
• In 2012, The Goulden Touch launched its annual event, “Kicking Hunger,” which provides meals and raises funds for the Northern Illinois Food Bank. To date, The Goulden Touch has raised over 36,000 meals for their backpack program.
Robbie Gould Factoids:
Full Name: Robert Paul Gould III
Birth Date: Dec. 6, 1982, Jersey Shore Hospital
Parents: Robbie and Cheryl Gould
Current Height/Weight: 6’ 190 pounds
Favorite Meal (per 2012 Chicago interview): “I love steak. I grew up in a very country area. My neighbors were Amish. I’m a meat and potatoes kind of guy.”
High School Career at Central Mountain
CM Soccer: Scored only goal in 1-0 win over State College in District 6 Final in 2000
CM Football: Field goals in a game – 4 vs. Erie Central in 2000
Field goals in a season – 10 in 2000
Total points kicking in a game – 13 vs. Erie Central in 2000
Total points kicking in a season – 57 in 2000
CM Basketball: Assists in a season – 104 (2001; 7th all-time)
Assists in a career – 191 (1999-2001; 6th all-time)
Steals in a season – 72 (2001; 3rd all-time)
Steals in a career – 136 (1999-2001; 2nd all-time)
College Career st Penn State
Began as a Walk-On at Penn State in 2001
2001: 29-for-29 EPs; 6-for-10 FGs
2002: 45-for-45 EPs; 17-for-22 FGs
2003: 22-for24 EPs; 9-for 16 FGs
2004: 22-for-23 EPs; 7-for-13 FGs
Career: 115-for-121 EPs (95%); 39-for-61 FGs (63.9%)
NFL Career
Chicago Bears from 2005-15
Bears All-Time Leading Scorer with 1,207 points
First NFL Field Goal: October, 2005 vs. Cleveland
First NFL Game-Winner: Week 9, 2005 vs. New Orleans Saints
Previous Super Bowl: 2/4/2007, 1-for-1 in FGs; 2-for-2 in EPs; Bears lost to Indianapolis, 29-17
2006 NFC Pro Bowl; First-Team All-Pro
2015 Chicago Bears Ed Block Courage Award Recipient
2017 Perry/Yonamine Unity Award
2018 49ers Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award
Current Contract: Four-year, $19 million extension in July 2019 with $10.5 million guaranteed.
Career NFL Kicking Mark – Field Goals: 381 of 439; 86.8%
Career NFL 50 yard-plus Field Goals: 29 of 41; longest, 58 yards
NFL Honors:
2005: NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 9)
2006: NFC Pro Bowl, First-Team All-Pro, NFC Special Teams Player of the Month (October), NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 16)
2008: NFC Special Teams Player of the Month (December)
2015: Chicago Bears Ed Block Courage Award Recipient
2017: Perry/Yonamine Unity Award, NFC Special Teams Player of the Month (December), NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 13 & Week 15)
2018: 49ers Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, NFC Special Teams Player of the Month (December), NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 2 & Week 15)
