Justin Rohrwasser Explained

Justin Rohrwasser
Number:5
Position:Placekicker
Birth Date:7 December 1996
Birth Place:Clifton Park, New York, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:230
High School:Catholic Central
(Troy, New York)
Draftyear:2020
Draftround:5
Draftpick:159
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statleague:NFL
Pfr:RohrJu00

Justin Rohrwasser (born December 7, 1996) is an American former professional football placekicker. He played college football at Marshall and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

College career

Rohrwasser played the first two years of his college career at the University of Rhode Island before transferring to Marshall University. At Rhode Island, he made 75% of his field goal attempts and 98% of his extra point attempts.[1] In 2019, in his redshirt senior season with Marshall, he made 85.7% of his kicks with a long of 53 yards.[2]

Professional career

The New England Patriots selected Rohrwasser in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft with the 159th overall pick. The move came a few weeks after they released kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who had been the Patriots kicker since 2006.[3]

In the middle of training camp, the Patriots signed Nick Folk, who had played for the team in 2019, as competition to Rohrwasser. Rohrwasser was waived as part of the team's final cutdowns on September 5, 2020.[4] He was signed to the practice squad the following day.[5] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 4, 2021.[6] On March 23, 2021, Rohrwasser was waived by the Patriots.[7]

Controversy

Upon his selection, Rohrwasser was scrutinized for having a tattoo of the logo of the Three Percenters, a far-right paramilitary group. The Three Percenters have been condemned by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League as a white supremacist hate group.[8] [9] [10] Rohrwasser claimed to have no links to the organization and denounced it. He further claimed that when he received the tattoo he thought the symbol represented military support.[11] Some commentators questioned whether his denial of previous links with the group was authentic.[12] On April 27, 2020, Rohrwasser pledged to have the tattoo removed completely and did so in December 2020.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Yang . Nicole . April 25, 2020 . The Patriots select Justin Rohrwasser with 159th overall pick in 2020 NFL Draft . April 25, 2020 . Boston.com.
  2. Web site: Mason . Chris . April 25, 2020 . Patriots draft Justin Rohrwasser, kicker from Marshall, in fifth round of 2020 NFL Draft . April 25, 2020 . MassLive.
  3. Web site: Schwab . Frank . April 25, 2020 . Patriots replace Stephen Gostkowski before Tom Brady, take a kicker in the fifth round . April 25, 2020 . Yahoo! Sports.
  4. Web site: September 5, 2020 . Report: Patriots Releasing Kicker Justin Rohrwasser . September 5, 2020 . CBS Boston . en-US.
  5. Web site: Dussault . Mike . September 6, 2020 . Analysis: Breaking down Patriots initial 2020 practice squad . September 6, 2020 . New England Patriots.
  6. Web site: January 4, 2021 . Patriots Sign 10 Players to Future Contracts . March 24, 2021 . Patriots.com.
  7. Web site: March 23, 2021 . Patriots Re-Sign K Nick Folk; Sign DL Davon Godchaux; Release Three Players . March 24, 2021 . Patriots.com.
  8. Web site: Three Percenters . March 24, 2021 . Anti-Defamation League . en.
  9. Web site: Antigovernment Movement . March 24, 2021 . Southern Poverty Law Center . en.
  10. Web site: Michel . Casey . August 17, 2017 . How Militias Became the Private Police for White Supremacists . April 25, 2020 . Politico.
  11. Web site: Previte . Samantha . April 24, 2020 . Patriots Kicker Justin Rohrwasser to Cover 'Three Percenter' Tattoo . April 25, 2020 . New York Post.
  12. Web site: Barrow . Eric . April 25, 2020 . Patriots Draft Pick Justin Rohrwasser's Ignorance About 3 Percenters Isn't Believable . April 25, 2020 . Deadspin.
  13. Web site: Reiss . Mike . April 28, 2020 . Patriots draftee Justin Rohrwasser to remove controversial tattoo . March 24, 2021 . ESPN.com.