The Green Bay Packers have claimed Penn State football alumnus Sam Ficken off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks, who had signed the Nittany Lion as a free agent back in January.

Seattle waived Ficken last Friday after it signed Jason Myers as a free agent earlier this offseason. Myers put pen to paper on a four-year contract worth up to $15.45 million after his Pro Bowl-caliber performance for the New York Jets in 2018.

Ficken will likely compete with veteran Mason Crosby for the starting role once the team’s offseason program gets rolling in the next few weeks. This roster move is the latest of Ficken’s eclectic journey through the NFL.

He was signed by the Los Angeles Rams back in 2018 and played in two games, converting just one of three field goal tries and all 10 of his extra points. Ficken was later released after Greg Zuerlein, the Rams’ starter at the position, returned from injury.

Although he hasn’t found much success in the NFL, Ficken had an impressive tenure in Happy Valley. He successfully converted 54 out of his 75 field goal attempts and more than 97 percent of his extra points at Penn State from 2011-2014.

However, he’ll always be remembered by Penn State fans for his performance in the Pinstripe Bowl. Ficken made a 44-yard field goal at the end of regulation to extend the game against Boston College before winning it with an extra point in overtime. The extra point secured the Nittany Lions’ first bowl victory of the post-sanctions era.

About the Author

Matt DiSanto

Matt proudly served as Onward State’s managing editor for two years until graduating from Penn State in May 2022. Now, he’s off in the real world doing real things. Send him an email (mattdisanto86@gmail.com) or follow him on Twitter (@mattdisanto_) to stay in touch.

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