Those who know Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas recognize him as one of the best at his position in the NFL. He is also a strong community leader, thanks to his “Bironas Fund” foundation that supports needs of children in the music city by way of, what else, music. However, Bironas’ success did not come without bumps in the road, as it looked early on like he would never reach his goal of being a professional athlete.
“The difference between the impossible, and the possible, lies in a man’s determination.” - Tommy Lasorda
It all started in Louisville, Kentucky, where Bironas grew up and was part of the Trinity High School class of 1996. While at Trinity, he focused mostly on soccer, which is the sport he grew up playing. Along with soccer, he lettered two years for the swim team, and added one-year of track and field.
When Rob’s father mentioned that his strong soccer kick may benefit him as a football kicker, Rob and his younger brother Greg turned the Bironas backyard in to a practice field, where pine trees and horse fences served as goal posts. Rob was cut his freshman and sophomore year from the football team despite the hard work, and that is where his strong determination began to take hold.
Following his sophomore year, Bironas made the team as a junior and senior, and even started to get looked at to play Division III football in college. Bironas, being the strong willed man he is today, was determined to receive a Division I football scholarship.
Rob started with a try out at LSU, only to arrive with news that they offered the job to another recruit the day before his visit. Determined to find a place to play, Rob and his dad did a week-long tour of the remaining schools in the SEC. Auburn University finally gave Rob the break he was looking for, and offered him a walk on spot.
After redshirting, he was offered a scholarship and the starting position his sophomore year. Bironas knew he worked hard enough to deserve this shot, and he took advantage of the opportunity, as his success kicking made him a semi-finalist for the 1998 Lou Groza Award, as the top kicker in college football. That sophomore year, Bironas made 12 of 16 field goals, including two 49-yarders, and all 18 PATs.
Unfortunately, an injury in his senior season combined with a switch in coaches caused Bironas to lose his scholarship at Auburn. In the aftermath, he joined Georgia Southern to play his senior season, where he helped lead the Eagles to the Division I-AA National Championship before returning to Auburn to finish his marketing degree.
Despite his strong college career, Rob ended up back at his father’s building automation business in Louisville, after receiving no calls from the NFL. Rob’s “won’t take no for an answer” mentality, which was driven in to him by his father, popped up once again to help drive him through this difficult time. He spent his lunch breaks and evenings kicking footballs and working out. He attempted to make an NFL team three times – with Green Bay, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh, but failed to stick with any team.
He still worked hard to stay in shape however, training with Eagles kicker David Akers in the summers, never giving up his NFL dream. For years Rob kicked in the Arena league, while doubling as a Best Buy security officer just to make a stable income.
Rob’s determination earned him a break when the Tennessee Titans invited him to training camp in 2005. He finally made the team out of training camp, and was careful not to rest on his laurels. He spent the entire season in an extended stay hotel to remind him that nothing is a guarantee and to keep focused.
After making the team, Rob found a quote very indicative of his character and his journey: “The road to success is lined with many tempting parking spaces.” It is a quote he has kept on a post-it note in his car ever since.
Now that Bironas is recognized by fans and the league itself as one of the best in the game (All-Pro team in 2007), he is still humbled knowing nothing in life is ever given to you, but you have to earn everything. Rob also helps instill the same determination in others that he had on his way to the NFL, in part by means of his “Bironas Fund” which he founded in 2008.
As stated on Bironas’ website, RobBironas.com: “The Rob Bironas Fund was founded within The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee in 2008, with a desire to raise and distribute support to causes that have children at the center of their missions. Selection for funding follows guidelines supported by five “keystones” which are taken from Bironas’ own approach to his kicking career and his desire to demonstrate positive attitudes toward hard work. These are: Discipline, Focus, Preparation, Overcoming Adversity, and Recovering from Mistakes.”
The Bironas Fund has many purposes including providing musical instruments to children in Tennessee who otherwise could not afford them. “A lot of guys in the locker room do stuff for sick kids and different organizations that serve great purposes, but I wanted to do something a little different,” Bironas said.
“Being here in the Music City I kind of rediscovered my love for music and I feel it’s something that has an impact on everybody’s lives.”
“I started looking into it a little bit and started seeing the scholastic influence it has on kids in terms of practicing and failing to succeed,” he added.
Along with the music side of his foundation, Bironas also works with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and has helped grant wishes of children via the popular Make-A-Wish foundation.
“With some of the kids who receive help, you don’t know which ones are going to make it so to be able to put a smile on their face and take their minds off their battle just for a day means so much to them. To be able to make their wish a reality is really just unbelievable,” he said.
Despite turning 35 this coming January, Bironas is still kicking at a high level converting on 24-29 field goals (82.8%) including two from over 50 yards. While his time in the NFL may be close to nearing its end, he has proven that his willingness to help others will go long past his playing days.
