So, you’re sitting there, maybe at a bar or scrolling through your phone, and the question hits you: does Matt Prater have a Super Bowl ring? It’s the kind of trivia that makes you look like a genius at a party. Or, you know, a total fraud if you get it wrong. Let’s settle this once and for all, coffee in hand.
The short answer? Yes, Matt Prater absolutely has a Super Bowl ring. But here’s the kicker: he didn't win it with the team you probably think of. You’re likely picturing him with the Denver Broncos, right? The guy who once kicked a record-breaking 64-yard field goal? Well, hold that thought.
The Ring That Almost Wasn’t
Prater earned his ring as a member of the 2015 Denver Broncos. That’s the Peyton Manning retirement tour team. The one where the defense was basically a pack of hungry wolves. Prater wasn’t just along for the ride; he was their reliable leg all season.
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But here’s where it gets weird. He was with the Broncos for the regular season and the playoffs, but he missed the Super Bowl itself. I know, right? It sounds like a plot twist. He got a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy—alcohol-related, if you’re curious—and the Broncos put him on injured reserve right before the big game.
So, technically, he didn’t kick a single ball in Super Bowl 50. But rules are rules: if you’re on the roster for the season, you get the bling. And the Broncos did give him a ring. It’s a shiny, gaudy, ridiculously large piece of jewelry that says “champion.”
Wait, So He Didn’t Play?
Nope. The Broncos rolled with backup kicker Brandon McManus for the 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. McManus kicked two field goals and an extra point. Prater was at home, probably watching on TV, feeling a mix of pride and “what if?” Imagine that—your team wins it all, and you’re eating nachos on your couch.
41-Year-Old Buffalo Bills Kicker Matt Prater Wins Game 2 Days After
But hey, a ring is a ring. And Prater’s is legit. It’s not like he bought it off eBay. The NFL counts it, the Broncos counted it, and if you ask Matt, he’ll probably flash that smile and say “yep.” He might even joke about the suspension. We’ll never know.
But here’s the really funny part: Prater’s ring is from a season where he was, at times, incredible. He made that 64-yarder in Week 11 of 2014—against the Titans, in thin Denver air. It was a record. And then he got suspended, lost his job, and still got a ring. Life is weird, man.
What About His Other Teams?
After Denver, Prater bounced around. He spent time with the Detroit Lions (2014–2018) and then the Arizona Cardinals (2019–2022). Did he get another ring with them? Nope. The Lions were… well, the Lions. And the Cardinals were good in 2021 but fell apart in the playoffs. He never sniffed another Super Bowl.
So, his one and only ring is that 2015 Broncos trophy. That makes him part of a very exclusive club: kickers who have a Super Bowl ring but didn’t play in the Super Bowl. It’s like being the designated driver at a wedding—you’re there, but everyone else is having the party.
View of Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater surrounded by confetti
And let’s be real: Prater is a fantastic kicker. He’s fifth all-time in field goals made. He’s got a cannon for a leg. But his legacy is weirdly tied to that one missed game. You ask a random fan, and they’ll say “oh yeah, the guy who kicked the 64-yarder, he has a ring, right?” And you can now say, “Yes, but also no, but also yes.”
The Final Whistle
So, does Matt Prater have a Super Bowl ring? Yes. Unequivocally, officially, yes. He’s got the jewelry, the photos, and the story. But it’s a story with a twist—a cautionary tale about how even a legendary leg can get benched by a bad decision.
Next time you see him on TV, maybe squint at his left hand. If the camera catches a glint off a massive diamond, you’ll know. That’s the ring he earned, even if he didn’t earn it on Super Bowl Sunday. And honestly? That’s kind of perfect. Because in the NFL, sometimes you win the game just by being in the room. Even if the room is your living room.
Now, go impress your friends with this trivia. And if they don’t believe you, tell them to Google it. You’re welcome.