Matt Prater, an Estero High alumnus, officially signed to Buffalo Bills active roster
Updated: 5:22 PM EDT Sep 9, 2025
One of the heroes of Sunday night’s thrilling game between the Bills and Ravens, Matt Prater, an Estero High alumnus, was officially signed to the Bills’ active roster on Tuesday.Prater, a 41-year-old kicker, signed with the Bills’ practice squad on Thursday, Sept. 4, and after kicking the game-winning field goal on “Sunday Night Football,” he officially earned a spot on the team’s 53-man roster. On Sunday, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Baltimore Ravens 41-40, in a game that at one point saw the Bills losing by 15 with under four minutes left in the fourth quarter.The Bills then pulled off one of the most memorable comebacks in recent NFL history, scoring 16 unanswered points in the span of 3 minutes and 56 seconds, with the game-winning field goal being kicked by Prater, who graduated from Estero High in 2002.Prater, who is currently in his 20th season in the NFL, transferred from Cypress Lake High School to Estero High in his sophomore year. During his high school football career in Estero, Prater converted 56 out of 58 extra point attempts and made 14 field goals for the Wildcats.During his high school football career, Prater was named second-team All-State, first-team all-conference, and All-Southwest Florida.Prater then played college football for the UCF Knights, finishing his collegiate career with a 92.3% extra point conversion percentage and a 67.6% field goal percentage.Prater went undrafted and began his active NFL career in 2007 with the Denver Broncos, where he remained for eight seasons. Prater also played for the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals before joining the Buffalo Bills this season. Prater held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) until 2021, and still holds the record for most 50-plus-yard field goals in a career with 81. Prater made both of his extra point attempts and recorded three total field goals, including the game-winner as time expired, instantly making him a Buffalo hero.Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who recorded 424 total yards and four touchdowns in the game, ran up to Prater after the exciting win, screaming, “Hey, hey, hey! Welcome to Buffalo, baby!”DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.
One of the heroes of Sunday night’s thrilling game between the Bills and Ravens, Matt Prater, an Estero High alumnus, was officially signed to the Bills’ active roster on Tuesday.
Prater, a 41-year-old kicker, signed with the Bills’ practice squad on Thursday, Sept. 4, and after kicking the game-winning field goal on “Sunday Night Football,” he officially earned a spot on the team’s 53-man roster.
On Sunday, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Baltimore Ravens 41-40, in a game that at one point saw the Bills losing by 15 with under four minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The Bills then pulled off one of the most memorable comebacks in recent NFL history, scoring 16 unanswered points in the span of 3 minutes and 56 seconds, with the game-winning field goal being kicked by Prater, who graduated from Estero High in 2002.
Prater, who is currently in his 20th season in the NFL, transferred from Cypress Lake High School to Estero High in his sophomore year. During his high school football career in Estero, Prater converted 56 out of 58 extra point attempts and made 14 field goals for the Wildcats.
During his high school football career, Prater was named second-team All-State, first-team all-conference, and All-Southwest Florida.
Prater then played college football for the UCF Knights, finishing his collegiate career with a 92.3% extra point conversion percentage and a 67.6% field goal percentage.
Prater went undrafted and began his active NFL career in 2007 with the Denver Broncos, where he remained for eight seasons. Prater also played for the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals before joining the Buffalo Bills this season.
Prater held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) until 2021, and still holds the record for most 50-plus-yard field goals in a career with 81.
Prater made both of his extra point attempts and recorded three total field goals, including the game-winner as time expired, instantly making him a Buffalo hero.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who recorded 424 total yards and four touchdowns in the game, ran up to Prater after the exciting win, screaming, “Hey, hey, hey! Welcome to Buffalo, baby!”
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.