Quick Facts
Biography
Efren Herrera (born July 30, 1951) is a Mexican-American former placekicker in the National Football League from 1974–1982.
After a college career at the University of California, Los Angeles, he kicked for the Dallas Cowboys in 1974 and 1976–1977. He was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1977 season. He was a part of the Cowboys' Super Bowl XII-winning team. He later kicked for the Seattle Seahawks as well as the Oklahoma Outlaws of the United States Football League.
Early years
At age 15, his family moved to the United States from Guadalajara, Mexico. He attended La Puente High School and practiced soccer with no knowledge about football, until he was spotted kicking a basketball into a soccer goal. He eventually joined the football team, playing as a placekicker and safety. He also lettered in baseball, wrestling and track.
College career
Herrera accepted a scholarship to UCLA where he was a placekicker for the football team and a forward/midfielder for the soccer team. In 1971 against the University of Washington, he set the school record for made field goals (4) in one game. In the opening game of the 1972 season, he kicked the game-winning field goal, with 20 seconds left, in UCLA's 20–17 upset of two-time defending national champion Nebraska. In 1973, he broke the school's PATs attempted (64) and made (61) record. As a senior in 1974 he led the nation in scoring.
During his career, the UCLA Bruins football team regularly finished among the leaders in the nation in scoring, which helped him leave as the school and NCAA career leader in scoring with 368 points (1971-1974). He also set the career record for PATs attempted (127) and made (121).
The UCLA soccer team also made it to the NCAA Finals in 1972 and 1973 while Herrera was a player, losing both years to Saint Louis.
Professional career
Detroit Lions
Herrera was selected in the seventh round of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, and was also drafted by the Los Angeles Aztecs of the NASL. He is distinguished as being the second Mexican born player to be drafted into the National Football League (Tom Fears was the first one). He was waived on September 12, before the season started.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys signed him as a free agent after the third game of the 1974 season. The next year, he was lost with a knee injury and was placed on the injured reserve list.
In 1977 he was an All-Pro selection, the NFL second leading scorer (93 points) and made the 1978 Pro Bowl at the end of the season. He also helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl XII, while tying the league record for most field goals attempted (5) in a game.
On August 14, 1978 he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a fifth round draft choice, because of a contract dispute. The Cowboys replaced him with Rafael Septien.
Seattle Seahawks
In Seattle he became a fan favorite as part of a special teams unit that was known for its fake field goal plays, where he had to pass, catch, block and run. In 1979 he recorded a career high 100 points. The next year, he set club and career records for most field goals in a season (20) and in a game (4).
On November 16, 1981, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury. He was waived in favor of rookie Norm Johnson on September 9, 1982.
Buffalo Bills
In 1982 he was signed by the Buffalo Bills for the strike abbreviated season (playing only 7 games) and was released at the end of the year. At the time he ranked second all-time in career field goal accuracy with 67.8%.
Los Angeles Raiders
In 1983 he was signed by the Los Angeles Raiders, but was cut on August 16.
Oklahoma/Arizona Outlaws (USFL)
In 1984 he signed with the Oklahoma Outlaws, which merged with the Arizona Wranglers on December 4. On January 25, 1985, he was released by the Arizona Outlaws after the team acquired Luis Zendejas.
Personal life
Herrera is currently an assistant coach at Claremont High School in Claremont, California.