Martín Gramática (born 27 November 1975) is ínGramáan Argentine-born former American football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Kansas State University where was recognized twice as an All-American and was selected by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft.
Gramática is currently the head coach of the Tampa Bay Strikers in the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL).
Early years
Gramática was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the age of nine, he moved with his family to the United States. The family settled in LaBelle, Florida, east of Fort Myers. He was only interested in playing soccer at LaBelle High School, but his kicking precision attracted the attention of the football coach of the school. He invited Gramática to try out as the team's kicker.
Gramática started to play American football during his senior year. He tallied 8-of-10 field goals, 22 extra points, and hit 38 of 49 kickoffs out of the end zone for touchbacks. His longest field goal was 52 yards.
College career
Gramática accepted a football scholarship from Kansas State University. As a freshman in 1994, he ranked eighth in the Big Eight Conference with 57 scored points, making 6-of-9 field goals (66.7%) and 38-of-39 extra points (97.4%).
As a sophomore in 1995, because of a very effective redzone offense, Gramática saw his field goal opportunities reduced, connecting in 7-of-10 field goals (70%) and 43-of-46 extra points (93.5%).
In 1996, Gramática was granted a medical redshirt, after tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament one week before the season opener.
As a junior in 1997, he posted 19-of-20 field goals (95%), 37-of-38 extra points (97.4%) and 94 scored points. He converted all three of his over 50-yard field goal attempts. He received the Lou Groza Award.
As a senior in 1998, he registered 22-of-31 field goals (71%) and 69-of-69 extra points (100%). He set the NCAA record for scoring by a kicker in a single-season with 135 points. He hit a 65-yard field goal against Northern Illinois University, which was the fourth-longest field goal in NCAA history, and the longest in NCAA history without the use of a tee. He finished in second place for the Lou Groza Award.
Gramática received his Bachelor of Science degree in social science from Kansas State in May 1999.
During his four seasons, he became the school's greatest placekicker. He made 54 out of 70 field goals and 187 of 192 point-after-touchdown attempts, gaining a school record of 349 points in four seasons. He set the single-season school record with 135 points and the longest field goal kicked from 65 yards. Those achievements earned him the nickname Automatica because whenever he attempted a field goal, it was taken for granted that it would be good.
In 2008, he was inducted into Kansas State's Ring of Honor. In 2013, he was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. In 2016, he was inducted into the Kansas State Athletics Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gramática was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round (80th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he began the season by making 10 consecutive field goals. In the tenth game against the Atlanta Falcons, he kicked 4-of-4 field goal attempts with a long of 53 yards. He was NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his game against Atlanta. He was the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November. He tallied 27-of-32 field goal attempts (84.4%), 27-of-27 extra points (100%) and 106 points (franchise record). He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In 2000, he posted 28-of-34 field goals (82.4%), 42-of-42 extra points and scored 126 points (new franchise record). In the seventh game against the Detroit Lions, he kicked 4-of-4 field goal attempts with a long of 55 yards. He was the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October. He was NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins. He was the starter for the NFC Pro Bowl team.