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Massachusetts Pirates

Pirates Sign Former Super Bowl Champ Hartley

September 4, 2021 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Massachusetts Pirates News Release


WORCESTER, MA - The Massachusetts Pirates have signed veteran kicker and Super Bowl Champion Garrett Hartley as the team prepares for its Indoor Football League semi-final vs. the Frisco Fighters at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center on Saturday night at 8:00.

The move became necessary when kicker Josh Gable was placed on the injured reserve list. Last week Gable, who had returned from the IR the week prior, was not 100 percent kicking in the 44-19 victory over the Bismarck Bucks as he kicked extra points and field goals with his right foot and kicked off with his left foot in an attempt to save his leg.

Hartley enjoyed a six-year career in the National Football League, signing his first contract with the Denver Broncos in 2008 as an undrafted free agent. The former Oklahoma Sooner, who was a second team All-Big 12 selection in 2006 and 2007, then landed with the New Orleans Saints that same season and went on to set an NFL record for most consecutive field goals (13) to start a career.

Hartley also became the first kicker in the history of the NFL to make three field goals of more than 40 yards in a Super Bowl as the Saints in 2010 New Orleans defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31 -17 in Super Bowl XLIV. He remained with the Saints through 2013. In 2014 he played with the Cleveland Browns. In 2015 he suffered a hamstring injury while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in a preseason game and ultimately was released. Hartley appeared in 59 NFL games missing just one extra point in 179 attempts. He converted 85 of 104 field goal attempts for a percentage of 81.7. His longest NFL field goal was 55 yards.

The 5'8," 195 lb. native of Keller, Texas becomes the fourth kicker to see the field for the Pirates this season. Gabriel Rui kicked in the first three games before his release. Gable played in a total of seven games and ranked seventh in the IFL going 17 of 24 on PATs and made the third most field goals hitting on 10 of 19 attempts for a percentage of 47.3, which was fifth best in the league. He was sixth in the league with 47 kicking points and also had the second longest field goal of 52 yards.

During his time on the IR, Gable was replaced by Ali Mourtada who kicked with the Pirates in the 2018 season. After showing well in four games, Mourtada signed with Winnipeg in the Canadian Football League.

Massachusetts President and General Manager Jawad Yatim, has successfully navigated the Pirates' roster with the unprecedented number of kickers who have found their way to Worcester.

"It hasn't been a conventional season in terms of the kicker position, but we've found ways to be productive in the kicking game and we can't thank Ali and Josh enough for everything they've brought to our organization this year," Yatim said. At this point in the season every kick is going to be a meaningful one and I wanted to make sure we brought someone in who not only has experience in high pressure situations but has been productive in those moments. Garrett has done it at the highest level and we look forward to adding his experience to our ball club and continue competing for a championship," he added.

The Massachusetts Pirates are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Pirates play all home games at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center located at 50 Foster St. Worcester, MA, 01608. For more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508)452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com. Single game tickets are available now at ticketmaster.com or the DCU Center Box Office. For 2022 season, half-season, luxury, or group ticket packages please call 508-452-MASS (6277). Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Facebook.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and Twitter @mass_pirates. #GetHooked #AllAboard

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