Younghoe Koo Biography: NFL Kicker, Cultural Icon & The “Ghost Kick” Story, Height, And Net Worth

Younghoe Koo, the South Korean–born NFL kicker now playing for the New York Giants, earns widespread respect for his accuracy and clutch performances. In December 2025, however, he made viral headlines after he swung at a 47-yard field goal against the New England Patriots and missed the ball completely. Koo later explained the bizarre moment, saying cold weather, a bobbled snap, and a slipping ball caused him to kick the turf instead.

“I approached the ball, and because of the cold weather, the ball slipped at the bottom and started moving. I couldn’t kick through it.” — Younghoe Koo

Timeline Overview

Year – Milestone

1994 – Born in Seoul, South Korea
2006 – Moved to Ridgewood, New Jersey
2013–2016 – Played college football at Georgia Southern; Lou Groza Award finalist
2017 – Signed with Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent
2019 – Played in the AAF with Atlanta Legends; signed with Atlanta Falcons
2020 – Earned Pro Bowl selection and tied for NFL scoring leader
2019–2025 – Served as Falcons’ starting kicker and built a reputation for clutch accuracy
Sept 2025 – Signed with New York Giants after Graham Gano’s injury
Dec 1, 2025 – Delivered the viral “ghost kick” vs. Patriots

Quick Facts

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Younghoe Koo (구영회)
Birthdate	August 3, 1994
Birthplace	Seoul, South Korea
Height/Weight	5 ft 9 in, 185 lbs
College	Georgia Southern University
NFL Teams	Chargers, Falcons, Patriots (PS), Giants
Career FG %	85.9% (as of Week 10, 2025)
Longest FG	58 yards
Known For	Accuracy, clutch kicks, elite onside kicking
Awards	Pro Bowl (2020), NFL scoring co-leader (2020)

Early Life & College Career

Koo was born in Seoul and grew up playing soccer before he moved to the United States at age 12. He quickly adapted to American football at Ridgewood High School in New Jersey, where his strong leg made him a standout kicker. At Georgia Southern, he delivered one of the nation’s best field-goal percentages at 88.6%, earned national recognition, and became a Lou Groza Award finalist.

Younghoe Koo Photo - WikiiTrends — **Younghoe Koo Photo – WikiiTrends**

NFL Career

Koo entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017. After a brief stint, he revived his career in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) with the Atlanta Legends. His impressive play earned him a contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 2019, where he evolved into one of the league’s most dependable kickers.

2020 Pro Bowl: He earned the honor after leading the league in scoring.
Clutch Kicker: He built a reputation for game-winning kicks and creative onside kicks.
Falcons Star: He became a cultural icon among Korean-American sports fans.

In September 2025, after Atlanta released him, the New York Giants signed him to replace injured veteran Graham Gano.

The “Ghost Kick” Failure (Dec 1, 2025)

During Monday Night Football against the New England Patriots, Koo lined up for a 47-yard field goal. As he kicked, the ball slipped and shifted because of frigid conditions and a mishandled snap. Instead of hitting the ball, he struck the turf. The play went viral and earned nicknames such as the “ghost kick” and “the most embarrassing play in NFL history.”

Cause: A slipping ball, cold weather, and a bobbled snap by holder Jamie Gillan.
Outcome: The Giants lost 33–15, and the clip defined their struggling season.
Reaction: Fans compared it to Charlie Brown missing the football; analysts called it the “blooper of the year.”

Challenges & Achievements

Challenges:

Entered the league undrafted
Faced early release by the Chargers
Endured the viral 2025 failed kick

Achievements:

Earned Pro Bowl honors
Led the NFL in scoring
Became a cultural figure connecting Korean and American sports

Resilience:
Koo consistently rebounded from setbacks and proved his long-term reliability.

Community & Reception

The viral miss drew enormous attention across sports media.

Media: Outlets worldwide labeled it one of the strangest plays ever captured on NFL broadcasts.
Fans: Social platforms filled with memes, but many fans defended him because of his career-long consistency.
Koo’s Response: He calmly explained the incident and pointed to the ball’s movement and harsh weather.

Legacy & Future

Koo’s long-term legacy extends far beyond the “ghost kick.” His career reflects years of excellence, resilience, and cultural significance.

Cultural Impact: He became the most successful South Korean-born kicker in NFL history.
Technical Mastery: He earned recognition for precision kicking and advanced onside-kick techniques.
Mental Strength: He routinely overcame obstacles—from early career setbacks to viral scrutiny.

He remains a valuable asset for the New York Giants and a global role model for aspiring international football players.

Salary & Net Worth

Salary (2025): Approximately $2.5 million annually
Net Worth: Estimated at $5–7 million

Conclusion

Younghoe Koo’s biography tells a story of resilience, cultural pride, and unwavering excellence. Although his December 2025 “ghost kick” created a viral moment, his explanation highlighted football’s unpredictable nature. More importantly, his consistent success — from Pro Bowl achievements to inspiring international fans — ensures that one unusual play will never define his legacy.