WASHINGTON — Playing for the Washington Football Team was always a dream for native Virginian Chris Blewitt, The West Potomac High School graduate recalls Sundays spent cheering for the team. No, he's Washington's number one kicker.
"It was always a dream of mine when I first started playing football with my buddies," Blewitt said. "I remember going to a [Washington ]preseason game against the Steelers back in 2009. It's amazing that it came back to this point."
The Washington Football Team released veteran kicker Dustin Hopkins after seven seasons, promoting Blewitt to the active roster. The last time Blewitt kicked in a game was five years ago while in college at the University of Pittsburgh.
"You're a little bit fired up because you're always cheering for your hometown team," Blewitt said. "You always want to help your hometown team and now I have that opportunity. It adds that little bit of extra fire."
Blewitt didn't start playing football until high school and only joined the team because his friends were on it. He tried out for kicker because he was also a soccer player.
Before Blewitt signed with Washington, he was working as a personal trainer at Anytime Fitness in Rose Hill, Virginia in during the day and at a UPS warehouse in Springfield five days a week at night.
"It forces you to grow up not being on a team," he said. "I was working Monday through Friday, 5:30 to 10 p.m., and mornings training in the gym. It was just what I had to do."
In four years with the Panthers, Blewitt made 69.6% of his field goals, and missed four extra points in his last two seasons combined.
"Chris is a gamer" said Pittsburgh Head Coach Pat Narduzzi. "He has that it factor. He's a guy that will make those big kicks."
Blewitt may have the most unfortunate name as an NFL kicker; the name makes him an easy target for opposing teams and perhaps his own fans if he misses a crucial kick. When he missed a field goal during a football game, an ABC announcer said, "No good! Chris Blewitt." However, the kicker seems to take the jokes in strides.
"You can make all your jokes," he said. "It's all good."