No one in the NFL does revenge quite like former Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano.
On Wednesday, the 35-year-old was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Sunday’s performance against his former employer. Gano booted through each of his four field goal attempts, including what would hold as a game-winning 56-yarder, in the New York Giants’ 19-16 victory.
This is now the second time in as many seasons the 13th-year veteran has earned the honor at the Panthers’ expense. He also brought home the distinction in 2021, when he accounted for 11 points in New York’s 25-3 triumph over Carolina.
Before settling into “The Big Apple,” Gano spent seven campaigns in Charlotte. And he wasn’t too shabby there—having converted on 165 of his 193 field goal tries (85.5 percent) while picking up a Pro Bowl nod for a stellar 2017.
But, just as many franchise mainstays from the Ron Rivera era, Gano departed upon the arrival of Matt Rhule’s regime. In fact, it wasn’t a ceremonious departure, as Gano claimed the Panthers turned him away before he even had a chance to reestablish himself in front of Rhule.
“I think it was actually the day I was coming back to kick in front of the new coaches [in July 2020],” he said before last year’s Week 7 matchup. “I was walking out the door and they stopped me and said, ‘Just wait.’ And they cut me right then. That was gonna be my first day kicking in front of the new staff.”
Well, that career-altering event actually worked out for Gano. He’s become a fan favorite over his three years with the Giants, having now nailed 64 of his 69 field goal attempts (92.8 percent) and 40 of his 42 extra point kicks.
As for the Panthers, they’ve now cycled through five different kickers since Gano was released.
