Rafael Septién
José Rafael Septién Michel (born December 12, 1953, Mexico City) is a former Mexican-American placekicker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1978 through 1986. He was the leading scorer for the Cowboys those nine years. He initially played for the Los Angeles Rams in 1977 after finishing college at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Early years
Rafael Septién's father, Carlos, was a professional soccer player in Mexico, so he looked to follow in his steps by joining Club América's youth system. He was never a regular starter so he decided to aim for the NFL.
A friend told him that the University of Louisiana at Lafayette needed a kicker, so he walked on to the football team after a tryout. He experienced success from the start of his football career. On October 5, 1974 he kicked a 57-yard field goal, breaking Gerald Landry's 1963 school record. In 1975 and 1976 he was named first team Southland Conference.
Septien had a remarkable college career, finishing as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette all-time leading kicker and breaking many of the school's records, some of which still stand today:
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