Doug Brien's journey in professional football began when he entered the NFL as a placekicker. Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft, Brien quickly demonstrated his abilities on the field. During his rookie season, he played a role in the 49ers' successful campaign, which culminated in a victory at Super Bowl XXIX. His performance during this season laid the foundation for his career in the league.
Following his time with the 49ers, Brien's career saw him don the jerseys of several other NFL teams. In 1995, he joined the New Orleans Saints, where he spent the next five seasons. During his tenure with the Saints, Brien became known for his reliability and consistency as a kicker. He was a regular fixture on the field, contributing to the team's scoring efforts with his accurate field goals and extra points.
After leaving the Saints, Brien had brief stints with the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001. His time with these teams was short-lived, but he continued to showcase his skills as a dependable kicker. In 2002, Brien signed with the Minnesota Vikings, where he played for one season before moving on to the New York Jets in 2003.
Brien's tenure with the Jets was marked by several memorable moments. He played two seasons with the team, during which he was instrumental in several close games. However, his time with the Jets also included some challenging moments, such as the 2004 AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he missed two crucial field goals in the final minutes of regulation and overtime.
In 2005, Brien joined the Chicago Bears, but his time with the team was brief. He was released after a few games, marking the end of his NFL career. Over the course of his career, Brien played in 151 regular-season games, scoring a total of 1,031 points. His career field goal percentage stood at 80.2%, reflecting his accuracy and skill as a kicker.
Beyond his on-field achievements, Brien's career is also remembered for his professionalism and work ethic.
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