Between 1997 and 1998, as an undrafted free agent, David Akers spent time trying to make the team with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and the Washington Redskins. He was signed by the Redskins in 1998 and played in one game for them, making two extra points but missing two field goal attempts. He was later released by Washington, and was claimed from waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. He was then allocated to NFL Europe, where he played one season for the Berlin Thunder. He impressed scouts with his power and accuracy, and earned the permanent kicker spot for the Eagles in 2000. Akers proved to be one of the biggest special teams surprises in all of the NFL that season. He made 29 out of 33 field goals (an 87.9% success rate), and had a team-record 121 points. Akers also gained a reputation as a clutch kicker, which helped earn him NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November 2000. He made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2001 as he went 26 for 31, making a team-record 17 consecutive field goals during the season. Akers' best statistical season was 2002 when he connected on 30 of 34 field goals (88.2%), scored a whopping team-record 133 points, and made another Pro Bowl. He got less chances in 2003, but still made 24 of 29 field goals. The highlight of his season was when he made the longest field goal in Eagles' history on September 14, 2003, a 57-yarder against the New England Patriots at the new Lincoln Financial Field. In 2004, Akers connected on 84.4% of his field goals and continued his to build his reputation as one the most consistent kickers in the league's history. Injuries finally got to Akers in 2005 when he tore his hamstring in his non-kicking leg during the opening kickoff of a game against the Oakland Raiders on September 25, 2005. Akers left the game, but returned in the second half with a heavily-taped leg to make two extra points and then kick the game-winning 28-yard field goal before collapsing in pain as his teammates mobbed him. He missed the next four games and finished the season a somewhat disappointing 16 for 22, but still made his fourth Pro Bowl. In 2006, Akers was injury-free, and kicked 18 for 23. At the end of the 2008 regular season, Akers again set the team single-season scoring record with an NFC-best 144 points. He connected on 33 of 40 field goals (82.5 pct), his best percentage since 2004. Akers was selected to the 2010 Pro Bowl, his fourth. He was also named to the NFL All-Decade Team for the 2000s. After the 2010 season, he was selected to his fifth Pro Bowl. Akers was signed by the San Francisco 49ers to a $9 million, three-year contract on July 29, 2011. In 2001, the Akers family formed the David Akers Kicks for Kids Foundation, which has established programs with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to benefit sick children and their families.
