Gould signs five-year extension through 2013
By Larry Mayer
.main_content_well {font-size:11px;} LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Place-kicker Robbie Gould on Monday signed a five-year contract extension with the Bears that runs through the 2013 season. Terms were not disclosed.
The Penn State product is the most accurate field goal kicker in Bears history among those with at least 50 attempts, having connected on 84 of 99 tries (84.8 percent) in three seasons.
“I’m really excited,” said Gould, who was entering the final year of his original contract. “I’m excited to stay in the city of Chicago and to be a Chicago Bear. This is one of those opportunities that’s once-in-a-lifetime and life-changing, and I’m just excited to have it.
“I’m excited that my hard work has paid off, but I’m definitely not done working hard and making field goals and kicking kickoffs. That’s what I get paid to do. Now it’s just a matter of being able to go out there and have fun, relax and enjoy it.”
Gould was working for M&R Contracting, a construction company owned by a family friend in Mill Hall, Pa., in October 2005 when the Bears summoned him to Chicago for a tryout. Signed after outperforming a handful of veterans, Gould converted 21 of 27 field goal attempts (77.8) and led the Bears in scoring with 82 points.
In 2006, Gould was voted to the Pro Bowl and named All Pro while connecting on 32 of 36 field goal attempts (88.9), including a franchise-record 24 straight to start the season. His 49-yard field goal in overtime in the divisional playoffs gave the Bears a 27-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field, Chicago’s first post-season victory in 12 seasons.
In 2007, the 6-foot, 183-pounder made 31 of 36 field goals (86.1), including 17 of 18 (94.4) over the final seven games. His only miss during that stretch, a 48-yard attempt, was blocked.
Gould owns Bears records with 26 straight field goals from Dec. 25, 2005-Nov. 19, 2006 and 22 straight games with a field goal from Oct. 23, 2005-Nov. 6, 2006.
The Bears kicker signed his contract Monday at Halas Hall with his mother, father, brother and sister at his side.
“My family’s very close with me and everything we do we do as a family,” Gould said. “If there’s a moment that I want to share with them, this would be that moment.”
Check ChicagoBears.com later for expanded coverage 
Linear Mode
