Tom Tupa's professional football career was a dynamic journey across several NFL franchises, each contributing to his unique legacy as a versatile player. From his initial drafting by the Phoenix Cardinals to his stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and Washington Redskins, Tupa consistently demonstrated his adaptability, primarily transitioning from a quarterback role to an elite punter. His time with each team brought
distinct challenges and opportunities, allowing him to leave a memorable mark through both his kicking prowess and occasional, surprising offensive contributions.
Phoenix Cardinals: The Beginning of a Dual Role
Tom Tupa began his NFL career after being drafted in the third round (68th overall) of the 1988 NFL draft by the Phoenix Cardinals. Initially, he was brought in as a quarterback, a position he had excelled at during his college years at Ohio State University. In his second season with the Cardinals, Tupa's role expanded, showcasing his early versatility. He started two games at quarterback, demonstrating his passing abilities, while simultaneously contributing as a punter, registering six punts for an impressive average of 46.7 yards per punt. This dual role hinted at the unconventional path his career would take.
By 1990, Tupa's responsibilities shifted, as he spent the entire season strictly as a holder on kicks. However, he returned to a more prominent quarterback role in 1991, playing in 11 games for the Cardinals and throwing six touchdowns to 13 interceptions. This period marked the last time Tupa was regularly utilized as a quarterback in the NFL, as his career began to lean more heavily towards special teams. His time with the Cardinals established him as a player capable of contributing in multiple facets of the game.
Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns: Special Teams Innovation
Following his tenure with the Cardinals, Tupa joined the Indianapolis Colts in 1992, serving as a backup for quarterbacks Jack Trudeau and Jeff George. This year also marked a significant turning point, as it was the last time he was regularly used as a quarterback. From this point forward, Tupa almost exclusively focused on punting, with his throwing skills reserved for emergency situations or trick plays. This transition solidified his identity as a specialist in the league.
After not playing in the 1993 NFL season, Tupa was cut by the Cleveland Browns before being re-signed by them in November as a backup, following an injury to starting quarterback Vinny Testaverde and the release of Bernie Kosar. He remained with the Browns for two seasons as their starting punter. It was during his time in Cleveland that Tupa made NFL history. In the first week of the 1994 season, he scored the first two-point conversion in NFL history by running in a faked extra point kick attempt against the Cincinnati Bengals. He scored a total of three such conversions that season, earning him the memorable nickname
