“It was definitely a whirlwind trying to plan our life with a baby on the way and not knowing where I was going to be,” said Patriots placekicker Joey Slye, who’s had quite a lot on his plate this season. 

Hours before the Pats face-off against the Titans, Slye missed practice—not for any routine reason, but to witness the birth of his first child. His wife, Brittaney, posted the news on IG, with a beautiful caption: “Our sweet girl, Palmer Memphis Slye, was officially welcomed to this world on 11/1/2024. Her middle name is in honor of her uncle AJ and his time at St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee. Her daddy was able to fly in and make it for her arrival, and we are so in love!” 

In the photos, baby Palmer is adorably wrapped in soft white clothes with a ribbon headband, capturing her early moments with her proud dad by her side. NFL reporter Mark Daniels soon confirmed the reason for Slye’s absence from practice, congratulating the couple.

The 28-year-old’s journey to this moment has been anything but smooth. Football may teach players to “control what you can,” but for Slye, life this past year’s been crazy uncertain. 

The seasoned kicker bounced around the NFL since signing with the Giants in 2019. Having learned of his wife Brittaney’s pregnancy in Feb, Slye entered free agency in March, facing the tough reality of job instability while expecting his first child.

“It was tough trying to plan life with a baby coming,” the Virginia Tech product shared, adding that he felt more pressure than ever. With Brittaney back home, he signed with the Jags in an attempt to secure his place—only to be released after a month. In May, Slye finally found some stability in New England, battling Chad Ryland for the placekicker spot.

As Joey Slye enters fatherhood, he’s also making waves on-field. Known for his powerful leg, he kicked one of the NFL’s fourth-longest field goals, proving his spot in New England was well-deserved. 

Joey Slye’s 63-yard field goal 

During the Pats vs. Niners game, one play took center stage: Slye’s 63-yard field goal. 

This beauty was no fluke. It tied for the fourth-longest field goal in NFL history (literally!). The placekicker’s booming boot stands tall as the second-longest field goal since 2022, trailing only Brandon Aubrey’s 65-yarder for Big D. 

What makes Slye’s kick even more legendary? It was outdoors! It’s the longest outdoor field goal since Graham Gano‘s 63-yarder in 2018, and just the fourth in NFL history from 63 yards or more outdoors—not counting the altitude boost in Denver.

So, while the Pats might have floundered on-field, Slye’s impressive feat gave us all something to cheer about. That’s one kick to remember!