Martin Gramatica

By Allyson Turner

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Martin Gramatica grew up playing soccer and idolizing Diego Maradona. When the opportunity to receive an education came along, Gramatica chose football and Kansas State. He is expected to be the only kicker selected in the upcoming NFL draft.

Winner of the Lou Groza Award presented to the nation's top kicker in 1997, Gramatica led the country in field-goal accuracy by making 19 of 20 field goal attempts. In 1998, he kicked a 65-yard field goal against Northern Illinois, the fourth-longest in NCAA history and the longest without the use of a tee. He was also 18 of 26 in field goal attempts and was perfect on extra-point kicks.

 

Martin Gramatica celebrates Kansas State's victory over rival Nebraska. (Allsport)

What was your longest field goal, whether it was practice or in a game?
Seventy-seven yards. (In practice). It was a few days before a game and there were some scouts there. The TV commentators were there and they saw it, too.

What are your personal goals for football?
Right now, hopefully get drafted. After that, make the team and have a pretty long career.

In an ideal world, where would you like to play?
I have no preference. I'll play anywhere.

What is your best attribute?
I'll give 110 percent and do everything it takes to help the team win on Sundays.

What is your pet peeve?
I try not to get mad about anything.

What is one word or phrase that best describes you?
I don't want to brag, but I guess you could say a winner because I hate to lose and I hate to miss.

Why did you choose football over soccer?
It was a chance to go to school with a scholarship. To have my school paid for and get a degree.

Was soccer the sport you wanted to pursue professionally?
Yes. I was going to Mexico to play right after high school. My parents thought it would be better if I stayed in school and got a degree. If football could pay for it, then go play football.

Do you eventually want to play soccer?
Football is everything right now. I love playing it and that's the only thing I want to do.

Which soccer player do you most admire?
Diego Maradona is my favorite player. I grew up watching him. I have his tapes, his jersey, everything. I haven't met him personally but I'm hoping one day I will.

Which kicker in the NFL do you most admire?
Morten Andersen. I follow him a lot. He's left-footed so I can't copy him that much. I also enjoyed watching Gary Anderson last year.

If you had the choice, which kicker in the NFL would you want to learn from?
Morten Andersen. I read that he has his own training program. I think he's 38 now and he's still in great shape, so he must be doing something right.

Mike Ditka once said, 'He's not a football player. He's a kicker.' What is your reaction to that statement?
I guess you could say that because we don't tackle on every play and we are not hitting people. That's the only explanation I have but I consider myself a football player.

Your team is down by two points, time is running out and your team is driving. While you're on the sideline, are you hoping your team scores a touchdown or do you want the chance to kick the field goal and win the game?
It depends. If they score a touchdown, great. If not, I'm ready. I like kicking field goals and I like being on the spot. It really wouldn't matter just as long as we won the game.

When the game is on the line and you're about to kick the field goal, how do you handle that situation?
I really don't feel that much pressure. I've been in that situation before at the Big 12 championship game and I felt fine. I felt like it was just a normal kick. You can't think that the game is on your shoulders, then you're nervous. I just think, 'It's one more kick.'

Who had the most influence on you?
My parents. They taught me that no matter what I do, give 100 percent and try to get to the top. One step at a time though.

If you could invite anyone over to your house for dinner, whom would you invite?
Diego Maradona. I would love to sit with him and just talk for a while.

What is a perfect day?
Wake up feeling good. Go outside, kick and practice. Just being able to do my routine and be with my family.