No. 3, 1 | |
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Position: | Placekicker |
Personal information | |
Born: | Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S. | September 6, 1965
Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
Weight: | 155 lb (70 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Red Bay (AL) |
College: | Alabama |
Undrafted: | 1987 |
Career history | |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Player stats at PFR |
Van Leigh Tiffin (born September 6, 1965) is a former American football placekicker.
Van Leigh Tiffin was born in Tupelo, Mississippi.[1] He lived in Red Bay, Alabama, and attended Red Bay High School, attracting notice for his football ability.[2]
Tiffin attended the University of Alabama where he was the Alabama Crimson Tide's primary placekicker from 1983 to 1986.[3] He holds the school record for longest converted field goal, with a successful 57-yard attempt against Texas A&M in 1985. He held the school record for converting 135 extra point attempts until his son, Leigh Tiffin, broke it in 2009 by one; Van never missed, however, going 135 for 135, while Leigh required 142 attempts.[4]
Tiffin's most notable kick came in the 1985 Iron Bowl against in-state rival Auburn. His 52-yard field goal lifted the Crimson Tide to a 25–23 victory as time expired. It has become part of Alabama lore, known mainly as "The Kick."[5]
In 1986, Tiffin was named a first team All-American by Scripps Howard.[6]
Tiffin spent one season in the National Football League with the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[7]