After nearly two decades in the NFL, kicker Matt Prater continues to prove that resilience, discipline, and heart are just as essential as talent. This season, he’s stepping into a new chapter with the Buffalo Bills, a move that’s challenged him to adjust not only as an athlete but as a father and husband.
The transition has been anything but simple.
“The biggest change,” Prater reflects, “has been going from being a full-time dad, coach, and being with my kids and wife every day to being across the country, back in the middle of a season with no training camp, away from my family in a new place I’m not familiar with.”
It’s a glimpse into the personal sacrifices that come with professional sports, the constant balancing act between passion and presence.
Still, on the field, his focus hasn’t wavered. Prater’s career has always been marked by determination, from early setbacks to record-breaking triumphs. One moment stands above the rest, the day he set the record for the most 50-yard field goals in NFL history.
“That was the record I’d been chasing for a long time,” he says. “It defines me as a player because I’ve never given up; it shows what hard work and dedication can lead to.”
It’s a milestone that captures everything about his approach to the game: consistency, longevity, and belief.
Over the years, Prater has suited up for several franchises: Denver, Detroit, Arizona, and now Buffalo, each stop shaping his perspective as a player and professional. “Every place has its pros and cons,” he explains. “Some places you’re playing outside with tough conditions, or you could be in a dome. There are good and bad experiences everywhere, but as I’ve gotten older, I look at it as a business and as a coach.”
What keeps him motivated after all these years? The answer is simple: competition and family. “I love to compete,” Prater says. “If I’m still able to do it and have an opportunity to keep playing, I’m gonna keep trying to go as long as I can.” But behind every game, every kick, is his greatest inspiration: the people waiting at home. “Another big motivation for me is my family,” he adds. “My wife Kati has been through a lot of these moments, and now all my kids are old enough to remember them. It was really cool, they were there to see me get lifted up in the first game back.”
Off the field, giving back has always been part of Prater’s DNA. Though he’s still working on launching his own foundation, one focused on youth sports and development, he’s spent his career jumping in wherever he’s needed. “I like to do anything and everything for my team and teammates if asked,” he says. He’s also lent his support to causes close to teammates, including Madelyn’s Fund, created by Andy Lee to support NICU families. For Prater, those opportunities are personal, especially when they lead to lasting connections. He recalls one of his most meaningful moments: meeting a young boy named Will through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“I went to his school, met his family, and spent the day with them,” Prater shares. “It ended up turning into a friendship over the years. Unfortunately, he passed last year. He was a really special kid and is deeply missed.” It’s a reminder that football is more than stats or scoreboards; it’s about impact. That same sense of purpose drives his message to young athletes: keep going. “I’ve had ups and downs throughout my career and been told I can’t do it,” he admits. “I’ve always believed in myself, and my family has always believed in me. I’ve proved all the haters wrong and worked really hard. Even at 41, I still try to be one of the best.” As for the future, Prater knows his connection to football won’t end when his playing days do. “I think at this point I’m always gonna be around football,” he says. “I started coaching my son’s team two years ago, and I really love it.”
From record-breaking kicks to friendships that last beyond the field, Matt Prater’s legacy is built on heart, humility, and the quiet strength of someone who never stopped believing.
“If I’m still able to do it and have an opportunity to keep playing, I’m gonna keep trying to go as long as I can.”
“I’ve had ups and downs throughout my career and been told I can’t do it. But I’ve always believed in myself, and my family has always believed in me.”