The Green Bay Packers are one of the most storied franchises in the NFL — and considering they competed in the first-ever Super Bowl — there have been plenty of legends to come through the franchise over the years.
From Bart Starr and Vince Lombardi, to Reggie White, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers (even if a portion of the fan base despises him). These are just some of the names that will always be synonymous with the Packers for the rest of time.
It’s rare a kicker falls into the iconic group of a NFL franchise, but for 16 seasons, Mason Crosby was a staple for the Green Bay Packers.
While there were plenty of times where fans were ranting over Crosby’s inconsistency and he isn’t universally beloved the same way other Green Bay legends are, his contributions to the franchise are undeniable.
He’s the Packers’ all-time leader in games played and consecutive games played. Even more notable, the veteran kicker is the leading scorer in franchise history. Those are major feats that can’t be ignored.
Crosby had a career that will earn him an induction into the Packers Hall of Fame one day.
The Packers’ brass made the decision to move on from Crosby ahead of the 2023 season and instead opt for Anders Carlson, who they drafted in the 6th round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Auburn.
But on Dec. 5, the Rams signed Crosby after months of the 39-year-old promoting himself and attempting to land with a new squad.
So this feels like the perfect time to take a look at the top 5 Mason Crosby memories during his time with the Green Bay Packers. This list could be different for any fan, but here are the five that stood out above the rest, both good and bad.
5. 2012 Crosby Was The Worst Kicker In The NFL
Not to start on such a negative note, but that’s why this is listed at No. 5. Many die-hard Packers’ fans are familiar with Crosby’s ups and downs through his career. Still, there’s a decent chance some don’t know that in 2012 — in his 6th NFL season — Mason Crosby was the very worst kicker in the NFL.
Although he landed a clutch 54-yard field goal against the Bears in Week 2 and connected on a season-high seven extra point attempts in Week 16 against the Titans, Crosby finished the season with a 63.6 field goal percentage, lower than any other NFL kicker that season. He connected on 21-of-33 attempts that season which isn’t great, but doesn’t feel bad enough to be the very worst. Yet still, that’s exactly what happened.
4. Breakout Rookie Season For The Green Bay Packers
Just like Carlson, Crosby was selected in the 6th round. He entered training camp in 2007 in a battle with incumbent placekicker Dave Rayner. The Packers gave their new rookie a shot in their very first preseason game in 2007 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Crosby nailed a 52-yard field goal, which was the longest in Heinz Field history at the time.
He ultimately won the job when final cuts came around and it proved to be the right choice.
In his very first NFL game, Crosby thrived in a major way. He connected on all three field goal attempts against the Philadelphia Eagles, including a 53-yarder and a 43-yarder with two seconds on the clock to seal a 16-13 victory in front of an ecstatic Lambeau Field crowd.
The kick was the first game-winner by a rookie on opening weekend since 1979 (when Matt Bahr achieved the same feat). Crosby was the first player in NFL history to kick a 50-yard field goal and a game-winning field goal with under a minute remaining in his NFL debut. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, becoming the first rookie kicker to receive this honor on opening weekend
Crosby rode the initial success and played a major role in helping the Green Bay Packers start the season with a (4-1) record by leading all NFL kickers with 54 points by that point in the season. The Packers’ rookie had at least one field goal in every game, including four in a Week 9 win over the Chiefs. Crosby finished second for most points scored in a season by a rookie and finished 2007 as the highest-scoring season by a kicker in franchise history and third-highest season point total by any Packers player.
3. Packers 2021 Special Teams Disaster Ended Their Season
The Green Bay Packers had the very last-ranked special teams unit in 2021, largely due to Crosby’s inconsistency
He finished the season converting 49 of 51 extra point attempts and 25 of 34 field goal attempts, but with everything on the line in the Divisional Round matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Crosby and the special teams unit fell short in a major way.
With three seconds left before halftime, 49ers safety Jimmie Ward blocked Mason Crosby’s 39-yard field-goal attempt. The Packers also gave up a blocked punt during the game, and while the block may have not directly been Crosby’s fault, he will be tied to the memory forever.
2. Green Bay Packers Beat Cowboys In Dramatic Moment
Heading into the 2016 season, the Packers inked a contract extension with their longtime kicker for another four years. Crosby backed it up with a solid season, converting 44 of 47 extra point attempts and 26 of 30 field goal attempts.
But on Jan. 15, 2017, the Packers’ kicker delivered in the biggest way. It was one of the most dramatic moments in franchise history that most fans will instantly call.
Crosby nailed a critical 56-harder in the back-and-forth game that ended up coming down to the final seconds. With Dallas ahead, Aaron Rodgers led a masterful drive to give the Pack a chance with just seconds left on the game clock.
The Green Bay Packers just needed their veteran kicker to hit a 51-yard field goal and they would beat the Cowboys to advance in the playoffs.
3. Packers v cowboys 2017 divisional round.
Goat Rodgers threw a 36 yard pass to Jared Cook on the sideline and Mason Crosby kicked a 51 yard field goal as time expired to beat the cowboys sending the packers to the. NFC championship game 😭. Beat the cowboys 34-31. pic.twitter.com/WHn0KhUMvG
— packers season 6-6 🧀 (@PackersJohn) April 11, 2018
And he did. But a timeout was taken by Dallas right before Crosby connected, so he would have to do it again. And without a flinch, Mason Crosby repeated what he had done just seconds before, nailing another 51-yard field goal to send the Pack to the NFC Championship game.
1. Mason Crosby Perfect In Super Bowl
It’s impossible not to put Crosby’s contributions to the Green Back Packers victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV to close out the 2010 season.
In the narrow 31-25 victory, the Packers’ kicker converted all four extra points and his only field goal attempt.
He was a perfect 46-of-46 in his extra point attempts during the regular season and hit on all 16 during Green Bay’s magical postseason run.
