Atlanta Falcons cut longstanding player Younghoe Koo two weeks following a crushing mistake
Younghoe Koo Parts Ways with Atlanta Braves
After a tumultuous tenure with the Atlanta Braves, kicker Younghoe Koo has been released by the team. Koo leaves Atlanta as the third-leading scorer in franchise history, a testament to his impressive stint with the team.
The parting of ways came after Koo's mistake in Week 1 of the NFL season, where he missed a 44-yard field goal that would have tied Atlanta's first game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This error ultimately led to his release.
Parker Romo, who was elevated from the Atlanta Braves' practice squad after Koo was benched, has taken over as the team's kicker. Romo's promotion came at a time when Koo was struggling with a conversion rate of 73.5% in the last season.
However, Koo's performance in the 2020 season was nothing short of stellar. He led the league in field goals made and was the highest scoring player in the NFL, earning him a Pro Bowl nod. Koo also held the seventh spot among active players for the best career field-goal accuracy (with at least 100 kicks) and was 15th all-time in NFL history for field-goal accuracy.
Koo's journey to the NFL was not conventional. He was a star at Georgia Southern in his college days and went undrafted out of school. After a stint in the Alliance of American Football, Koo joined the Atlanta Braves in October 20XX. Prior to his time in Atlanta, Koo played for the Los Angeles Chargers and was cut from the team in the 2017 season.
In 2021, Koo converted an impressive 93% of his field goal attempts, a feat he also achieved in both 2022 and 2023, where he held a conversion rate of 86.5%.
As Koo moves on from the Atlanta Braves, he leaves behind a legacy of resilience and exceptional kicking ability. His journey serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that determination and hard work can lead to success in the face of adversity.
Where Koo's future lies remains to be seen, but one thing is certain - his impact on the Atlanta Braves and the NFL will not be forgotten.
