Ammendola was born in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and attended North Penn High School. He kicked a school-record 56-yard kick. The previous school-record longest field goal was held by Jacksonville JaguarsplacekickerBrandon McManus. Ammendola made nine field goals in 2015, which is a school-record. He made seven field goals the year before. Ammendola had 41 kickoffs into the end zone in 2015.[1]
College career
While at Oklahoma State, Matt was a 2017 initiate of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. On March 2, 2024, he received the chapters highest honor being inducted into the Gamma Chi Hall of Fame.
Ammendola averaged 65.1 yards and kicked off 88 times for 51 touchbacks in his freshman year. Oklahoma State led the nation in opponent starting field position thanks to Ammendola's kickoffs. He made his only attempt of his freshman year, which was a 53-yard field goal against Central Michigan.[2]
Ammendola made 23 field goals in his sophomore year, which is the third-highest single season total in Oklahoma State history. Ammendola led the conference and ranked fifth in the FBS with 23 field goals. His 23 made field goals, including his 70 made extra point attempts, also ranked as the seventh-best single-season total for an Oklahoma State player. He also made a career-high three field goals at South Alabama. Ammendola also made three field goals against Kansas and Virginia Tech during the Camping World Bowl. He recorded 65 touchbacks on 104 kickoffs and averaging 65.1 yards per kick.[2]
Ammendola ranked fourth in the Big 12, scoring 109 points in his junior year. He made 12 of his first 13 field goals to start his junior year. Ammendola was struggling when he missed five for six field goals, but Ammendola overcame his struggle when he made three field goals to finish the season off. Ammendola served as a game captain against Texas Tech.[2]
Ammendola tied for third in the Big 12 and tied for first among kickers with 108 points scored in his senior year. Ammendola converted 20 of 26 field goals. His longest field goal was a 49-yard field goal against Iowa State.[3] Ammendola made 13 field goals to start the season, and he made his last five field goals to end the season. Ammendola served as a game captain against TCU.[2]
On March 24, 2021, Ammendola signed with the Carolina Panthers.[5] He was released on May 16, 2021.[6]
New York Jets
On July 31, 2021, Ammendola signed with the New York Jets.[7] On December 4, 2021, he was released after going 13-for-19 on field goals through 11 games.[8] Three days later, Ammendola was signed to the practice squad.[9] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on January 10, 2022.[10] AmmendolaHe was released on March 29, 2022.[11]
Houston Texans (first stint)
On August 25, 2022, Ammendola signed with the Houston Texans.[12] He was waived two days later.[13]
Kansas City Chiefs
Ammendola was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad on September 13, 2022.[14] He was then elevated via a standard elevation two days later. He was reverted to the practice squad after the game. Ammendola was elevated to the active roster for the Chiefs' Week 3 game against the Indianapolis Colts due to an injury to starting kicker Harrison Butker. During the game, Ammendola missed a field goal and an extra point. On September 26, 2022, he was released by the team.[15]
Arizona Cardinals
On October 4, 2022, the Arizona Cardinals signed Ammendola to their practice squad.[16] Four days later, he was activated from the practice squad after an injury to starting kicker Matt Prater.[17] Ammendola started the following day against the Philadelphia Eagles, going 1–2 on field goal attempts, but missed the game-tying field goal at the end of regulation.[18] He was signed to the active roster on October 12.[19] Ammendola was released by the team on October 17.[20]
On November 7, 2023, Ammendola was signed to the Texans practice squad following an injury to starting kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn.[23] Ammendola was promoted to the active roster on November 11. The next day, he kicked the game-winning field goal at the end of regulation against the Cincinnati Bengals.[24] Ammendola was released by the Texans on November 27, 2023, after missing the game-tying 57-yard field goal at the end of regulation the day prior at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars and was re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[25][26] He was promoted to the active roster on December 2.[27] Ammendola was released on December 12.[28]
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