HOUSTON – Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week again after his game-winning field goal against the Buffalo Bills.
The Texans ultra-reliable kicker was on his mark once again Sunday during a 23-20 victory.
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Fairbairn, who became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer Sunday with 773 points to surpass Kris Brown’s record, absolutely drilled a 59-yard, game-winning field goal with a few additional yards to spare as time expired in the fourth quarter.
“I stay in my routine and hitting the ball well,” Fairbairn said Wednesday after reaching that milestone. “I think in that moment, I just felt immense gratitude and a stat like that, all-time leader, is not something you do alone. I’m grateful.”
#Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/VU9oAAgRdr
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 9, 2024
This is the second time he’s won the award this season and the fourth in his career.
Fairbairn hit the longest game-winning field goal in franchise history.
He’s being counted on and trusted to make those kicks.
“I think everybody feels that way, you know, we need a play,” Fairbairn said. “Everybody wants to make it. I’m no different. I’m trying to do my job. Honestly, it’s more mental. It’s not overswinging on the longer kicks and knowing that I can get there without trying any harder.”
Fairbairn, a Hawaii native and a former Lou Groza award kicker from UCLA, stays in the moment when he’s kicking. His fundamentals and concentration are pinpoint. He scored 11 points on three field goals and two extra points. He’s now 11 for 12 this season on field goals and 9 for 9 on extra points.
“I feel a sense of calmness when I’m out there, when I’m walking out,” Fairbairn said Sunday. “I think that’s just from preparation. When it comes off my foot, it’s not up to me anymore. I did all I could. Had a nice little cut on that one that went through. I’m thankful, and then it was just celebration, enjoy it with my teammates.”
Fairbairn, 30, booted a kick that was shifting left initially off his foot before splitting the middle of the uprights, dead-on. Four years ago, Fairbairn won an AFC wild-card playoff game in overtime over the Bills with a game-winning field goal. Now, he’s beaten them again.
And his teammates were ultra-confident in Fairbairn’s skills.
“Oh, I was taking my pads off,” Texans nickel-safety Jalen Pitre said. “I knew he was going to hit it. We see it every day in practice. I was good, I wish there was a camera on me, I had them off already. I was ready to go home.”
“Very confident,” Texans wide receiver Tank Dell said. “Ka’imi is one of one, man. We’ve seen him do that before, and he did a great job.”
Fairbairn is the 12th kicker in NFL history to hit a 59-yard plus game-winning field and the first to do so since Greg Joseph hit a 61-yard field goal in 2022. He has now made eight 50-plus yard field goals this season, the most in a single season in franchise history and the most by any player in the NFL this season. He’s having an All-Pro caliber season.
“When you talk about Ka’imi, he had my back, just like I have his back,” Stroud said. “Everybody has each other’s back on this team. This is one of the most close-knit teams I’ve ever been on.”
Fairbairn focuses on his work diligently, especially his well-timed operation with long snapper Jon Weeks and holder Tommy Townsend.
And becoming the Texans’ all-time leading scorer is significant for Fairbairn.
“It’s a special one,” he said. “I don’t take it lightly. One guy definitely I have to shout out is Jon Weeks. He’s been with me every step of the way, every single snap. So, he’s just as much a part of that as I am. I’m very thankful for him and all my teammates. A stat like that doesn’t happen without everybody involved. I’m happy. It’s incredible. I’m honored to be here for this long. I am hoping to score a lot more.”
Embracing the pressure. Wanting to be counted on. Delivering in the clutch moments. That’s what Fairbairn is all about.
“I think kickers, I only can speak for myself, but I love the opportunities like that, especially when it’s coming down to it and it’s going to happen,” he said. “Whatever yardage it is, I really don’t care. I want that shot. I think that’s part of being good at this job, is wanting that and wanting that opportunity. Yeah, I look forward to them.”
And the Texans’ trust in Fairbairn has been earned time and time again. He gets the job done.
“It’s comforting to know you have a guy who can hit it at that critical moment,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “It’s clutch time and he stood up. He didn’t waver. He put it through the uprights. It’s comforting for everyone to know wherever we are, ‘Imi’ can make a play. It’s exciting.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
