New Orleans Saints Flashback: Rich Szaro

Rich Szaro was a place kicker for the New Orleans Saints for four season, from 1975-1978.

A native of Rzeszów, Poland, Szaro went to college at Harvard, where he proved to be an all-around outstanding athlete.

Before enrolling at Harvard, Szaro went to high school in New York, where he also played running back, and finished his senior year with 164 points, which led the area.

As a freshman Szaro broke the school record with 56 points, while finishing second in rushing with 487 yards.

As a punter Szaro averaged 34.1 yards a kick, while converting all 14 of his extra point attempts.

Even more impressive, Szaro competed in track and broke the school record with a toss of 246' 7".

As sophomore, Szaro became Harvard's place kicker, and set two school records for career points in place-kicking, led the team in scoring in 1969, and was selected All-Ivy his senior year.

Szaro joined the Saints in 1975, converted 10-of-16 field goals, and all 17 of his PAT's.

He followed that season by converting 18-of-23 field goals, and 25-of-29 field goals in 1976.

In 1977, Szaro converted on 5-of-12 field goals, and 29-of-31 PAT's.

In 1978, his last with the Saints, was limited to four game because of an injury. Szaro, a left-footed kicker, hurt his left foot during a game, so he actually kicked his next attempt with his right foot, before fullback Tony Galbreath kicked the remainder of the game, and before the Saints turned to Steve Mike-Mayer, John Leypoldt, and Tom Jurich.

Szaro kicked one game for the New York Jets in 1979, before his NFL career came to an end.

In his four years with the Saints, Szaro, who wore number 15, converted 37-of-57 field goals, along with 80-of-86 extra points, for 191 points.

Szaro, the kicker that actually scored with both his left foot and his root foot in the same, is now 65-years old.