Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Bradley Alexander Pinion was born on June 1, 1994, in Concord, North Carolina. He is a punter in the National Football League.

Pinion was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played college football at Clemson.

Pinion played college football at Clemson from 2012 to 2014 under head coach Dabo Swinney. As a freshman in the 2012 season, Pinion only appeared in five games. On September 8, he made his collegiate debut in the 52–27 win over Ball State. In the game, he had three punts for 117 net yards (39.0 average). Overall, in the 2012 season, he recorded nine punts for 355 net yards (39.4 average). As a sophomore in the 2013 season, Pinion became the main punter for the Tigers. That season, he handled the punting duties for all but three attempts, which went to Ammon Lakip and Andy Teasdall. In the season opener, against the Georgia Bulldogs, Pinion had a season-high seven punts for a season-high 287 net yards (41.0 average). In the next game, against South Carolina State, he had four punts for 195 net yards for a season-high 48.8 average. Overall, in the 2013 season, he had 56 punts for 2,205 net yards for a 39.4 average. As a junior in the 2014 season, Pinion continued his role as the main punter for the Tigers. That season, he handled all but one punt, which went to Andy Teasdall. He attempted and converted three extra points on the season. In the season opener, against the Georgia Bulldogs, Pinion had a season-high ten punts for a season-high 451 net yards (45.1 average). In two consecutive games in October, against Louisville and Boston College, he recorded games with 10 punts in each contest with 419 and 418 net punting yards respectively. On November 6, against Wake Forest, he recorded three punts for 147 net yards for a season-high 49.0 average. In his final collegiate game, against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Russell Athletic Bowl, he recorded five punts for 217 net yards (43.4 average). Pinion elected to forego his senior season and decided to enter the NFL Draft.

Pinion was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round, 165th overall, of the 2015 NFL Draft. He was the only punter to be selected in the draft that year. On his rookie year, on 2015, in the regular season opener, against the Minnesota Vikings, Pinion had 3 punts for 140 net yards (46.67 average) in his NFL debut. In Week 9, against the Atlanta Falcons, he recorded 5 punts for 241 net yards for a season-high 48.20 average. In Week 13, against the Chicago Bears, he recorded 9 punts for a season-high 433 net yards (48.11 average). Pinion recorded 91 punts for 3,969 net yards for a 43.62 average in his rookie season. Pinion began his second professional season with very similar statistics in the first 3 games. In the regular season opener, against the Los Angeles Rams, he recorded 7 punts for 319 net yards (45.57 average). In the next game, he recorded 7 punts for 318 net yards (45.43 average) against the Carolina Panthers. During Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded 7 punts for 319 net yards.

In Week 5, against the Arizona Cardinals, he recorded 7 punts for 349 net yards for a season-high 49.86 average. In Week 16, in the second divisional game against the Rams, Pinion recorded a season-high 9 punts for a season-high 372 net yards (41.33 average). Pinion recorded 100 punts for 4,402 net yards for a 44.02 average in 2016. His 100 punts led the league in punting. Pinion remained as the 49ers' punter going into his third professional season. In Week 4, against the Arizona Cardinals, he recorded 7 punts for 351 net yards for a season-high 50.14 average. In Week 8, against the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded 8 punts for a season-high 364 net yards (44.00 average). In Week 12, against the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded a season-high 9 punts for 342 net yards (38.00 average). Pinion recorded a then career-low 75 punts for 3,255 net yards for a 43.4 average in 2017.

During the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, Pinion recorded four punts for 174 yards. In Week 9, against the Oakland Raiders, Pinion recorded three punts for 164 net yards for a 54.7 average, including a season-long 64-yard punt. His performance against the Raiders earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Pinion recorded a career-low 68 punts for 2,973 net yards for a 43.7 average in 2018. On March 13, 2019, Pinion signed a four-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Pinion wasted no time making his mark in the community after being selected by the 49ers in the fifth round (165th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Clemson University. After attending nearly every community event on his days off throughout his first season, Pinion earned the 49ers Community Relations Rookie Service Award. To earn this prestigious award, Pinion volunteered at 12 community events in six months and dedicated more time to serving others than any other member on the team.

Over the past seasons, Pinion has made an impact on several causes, including athletes with special needs, literacy, animal adoption, wounded veterans, cancer awareness and character building. Pinion has solidified his status as one of the most devoted community servants on the 49ers. In his first three years with the 49ers, Pinion has participated in 30 events benefiting over 40 different organizations.

Throughout 2017, Pinion has continued to lead the 49ers community relations efforts. He was the keynote speaker at this year’s Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Football Banquet held in honor of the players and coaches selected for the 2017 All-Star team. He cut the ribbon at the grand opening of a Fitness Zone at the JW House, welcoming kids for the inaugural afternoon of play at the home where families find hope and support while their loved ones are in the hospital.

As part of the Character Playbook LIVE program, Pinion hosted several classrooms via video conference to discuss different lessons related to positive character development and healthy relationships, placing importance on education, communicating effectively and treating those around you with respect. He later joined Furry Friends Pet Assisted Therapy Services for animal therapy and confidence building activities with students in the Leland High School special needs program as they worked to erase the stigma attached to special needs.

Pinion danced with a pediatric cancer warrior down the runway as her story of strength and courage was shared at the Crucial Catch Fashion Show which also featured breast cancer survivors in honor of the NFL’s Crucial Catch Campaign. Prior to this past Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, Pinion joined the 49ers at a “My Cause, My Cleats” design event where he helped representatives from organizations including the military, education sector, San Francisco Police Department and epilepsy awareness design cleats that the players wore in Week 13 versus Chicago. Pinion showed support for his selected cause, Convoy of Hope, on his cleats.

On June 30, 2022, Pinion signed with the Atlanta Falcons.