Mathew James McBriar

From the Crowther at Brighton to the Gridiron fields of America, Mat McBriar has had a stellar 11 year career as one of the NFL’s most successful punters – twice being named to Pro Bowl.

Mat knew virtually nothing of Gridiron growing up – he played Australian Rules Football at school and for the Old Boys. Clearly an outstanding athlete, he showed great promise making the First XVIII as a Year 10 student.

History changed course when Mat was spotted by Darren Bennett, (another Australian NFL pro punter Champion), when Mat happened to attend an NFL sponsored kicking tryout in Australia. Although he didn’t win the competition, Bennett took Mat under his wing and mentored and coached him in the ways of the NFL and punting. Bennett introduced Mat to June Jones, the Head Coach at the University of Hawaii, where eventually Mat earned a scholarship, along with a number of Hawaii’s punting records, and a degree in Economics.

Mat played with a number of NFL teams, including the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers. He really made his mark on the game having the most impact when joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2003.

Throughout an eight-year stint he earned two Pro Bowl nominations, becoming only the second Australian to make a Pro Bowl, behind his mentor Bennett. In 2006 he set the Cowboy’s franchise record for punting average at 48.2 yards per punt.

Mat comes from a long line of men who attended BGS which include his father, brother, uncle and cousins.