Panthers sign K Kasay to four-year deal

Oct 29, 2008 - 9:30 PM CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Carolina Panthers gave kicker John Kasay a belated birthday present Wednesday.

Two days past his 39th birthday, Kasay signed a four-year extension with the Panthers, keeping him under contract through the 2012 season.

Finacial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Despite his age, Kasay continues to be one of the league's most productive kickers, converting 21 consecutive field goals, dating to December 16 of last season. He is tied for fifth in the NFL in scoring this year with 66 points.

"I can't say that I thought I'd be standing here," said Kasay, who was set to become a free agent at the end of the season. "Announcing that I signed a contract - I figured a few years ago that it'd probably be more of a retirement speech."

In his 18th season, Kasay made two field goals in last week's 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals to move past Hall of Famer Jan Stenerud for eighth place on the NFL's all-time list for field goals made with 374.

"To have the opportunity to still do the very same thing that I was doing when I was 12 years old, I wouldn't have guessed it in a million years, and it's been a huge blessing," said Kasay, the last remaining original Panther. "God's blessed me and my family - and it's still fun."

In his career, Kasay has made 374-of-458 field goal attempts, including 16-for-16 this season, and ranks 14th on the all-time scoring list with 1,570 points.

Kasay is fifth among active players, trailing John Carney, Matt Stover, Jason Elam and Jason Hanson.