Gunner Olszewski

PRO CAREER

• Has played in 36 games (two starts) over his three-year NFL career (Patriots 2019-21)
• Has averaged 23.2 yards per kickoff return (36 returns for 834 yards) and 12.6 yards per punt return (834 yards on 66 returns) over his career
• His 12.6 yards/punt return would rank tied for third in NFL history, but the League uses 75 punt returns to qualify for the NFL record (which is 12.8 yards/punt return by George McAfee, Chicago, 1940-41, 45-50)
• Led the NFL with a 17.3-yard punt return average (20 returns for 346 yards and one TD) in 2020, which was the highest return average in New England history and the second-highest in the NFL since 1970
• Earned several accolades in 202, including Associated Press First Team All-Pro, Pro Football Weekly All-NFL Team, PFWA All-AFC Team and Sporting News All-Pro
• Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Week 13 of 2020 at L.A. Chargers when he scored on a 70-yard punt return and had a 61-yard return
• First player in New England history with two punt returns of at least 60 yards in a single game
• Also registered a 38-yard TD reception at L.A. Chargers, which made him the fourth player in Patriots history with a punt return TD and TD catch in the same game
• Has caught nine passes for 127 yards and one TD and rushed six times for 32 yards
• Made NFL debut in Week 1 of 2019 (vs. Pittsburgh)
• Made NFL starting debut in Week 8 of 2020 (at Buffalo)

PRO CAREER

• Has played in 36 games (two starts) over his three-year NFL career (Patriots 2019-21)
• Has averaged 23.2 yards per kickoff return (36 returns for 834 yards) and 12.6 yards per punt return (834 yards on 66 returns) over his career
• His 12.6 yards/punt return would rank tied for third in NFL history, but the League uses 75 punt returns to qualify for the NFL record (which is 12.8 yards/punt return by George McAfee, Chicago, 1940-41, 45-50)
• Led the NFL with a 17.3-yard punt return average (20 returns for 346 yards and one TD) in 2020, which was the highest return average in New England history and the second-highest in the NFL since 1970
• Earned several accolades in 202, including Associated Press First Team All-Pro, Pro Football Weekly All-NFL Team, PFWA All-AFC Team and Sporting News All-Pro
• Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Week 13 of 2020 at L.A. Chargers when he scored on a 70-yard punt return and had a 61-yard return
• First player in New England history with two punt returns of at least 60 yards in a single game
• Also registered a 38-yard TD reception at L.A. Chargers, which made him the fourth player in Patriots history with a punt return TD and TD catch in the same game
• Has caught nine passes for 127 yards and one TD and rushed six times for 32 yards
• Made NFL debut in Week 1 of 2019 (vs. Pittsburgh)
• Made NFL starting debut in Week 8 of 2020 (at Buffalo)

2021 (PATRIOTS)

• Played in 16 regular-season games
• Primarily used as a punt returner and on kickoffs with occasional snaps at wide receiver
• Caught two passes for 31 yards; rushed for nine yards on one carry
• Returned 18 kickoffs for 416 yards (23.1 yards/return)
• Returned 26 punts for 309 yards (11.9 yards/return)
• His 11.9 yards/punt return finished tied for second in the NFL
• Returned two punts for 30 yards vs. N.J. Jets on Oct. 24; his 17-yard return set the Patriots up at midfield for what turned into a TD drive
• Had three 20-yard punt returns at L.A. Chargers on Oct. 31; last NFL player with three punt reurns of 20 or more yards in a single game was Nyheim Hines (Indianapolis) on Dec. 22, 2019 vs. Tennessee
• First New England player to do so since Troy Brown on Sept. 11, 2000 at N.Y. Jets
• Registered a career-long 37-yard kickoff return vs. Tennessee on Nov. 28

2020 (PATRIOTS)

• Saw action in 13 regular-season games with two starts
• Primarily used as a punt returner and on kickoffs with occasional starts at wide receiver
• Caught five passes for 62 yards and one TD; rushed for 23 yards on five carries
• Returned 18 kickoffs for 418 yards (23.2 yards/return)
• Returned 20 punts for 346 yards (17.3 yards/return)
• His 17.3 yards/punt return not only led the NFL, but it was the highest return average in New England history and the second-highest in the NFL since 1970
• Fourth player in franchise history to lead the League in punt return average
• Earned several accolades, including Associated Press First Team All-Pro, Pro Football Weekly All-NFL Team, PFWA All-AFC Team and Sporting News All-Pro
• Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Week 13 at L.A. Chargers
• Returned three punts for 145 yards
• His 145 punt return yards were the second-most every in franchise history
• Scored on a 70-yard punt return TD and had a 61-yard return
• Became the first player in New England history with two punt returns of at least 60 yards in a single game
• Registered a 38-yard TD reception, which made him the fourth player in Patriots history with a punt return TD and TD catch in the same game
• Suffered an injury during training camp and was placed on Injured Reserve parior to the start of the regular season (missed the first three games of the campaign)
• Made his first NFL start at wide receiver at Buffalo on Nov. 1
• Returned two punts for a total of 67 yards in the win vs. Arizona on Nov. 29, including a then career-long 58 yards in the second half

2019 (PATRIOTS)

• Made the 53-man roster as a rookie free agent
• Saw action in eight regular-season games before being placed on Injured Reserve on Nov. 19
• Primarily used as a punt returner and on kickoffs with occasional snaps at wide receiver
• Caught two passes for 34 yards
• Returned 20 punts for 179 yards (9.0 yards/return)
• Made his NFL debut on Sept. 8 vs. Pittsburgh (returned two punts for 35 yards)

COLLEGE

• Played in 42 games at Bemidji State (2015-18)
• Played defensive back throughout college career before making the switch to wide receiver in pursuit of an NFL career
• Registered 310 tackles (183 solo), 40 passes defensed, 13 interceptions, nine tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 1.0 sack
• Averaged 29.7 yards per kickoff return (11 returns for 327 yards) and 13.4 yards per punt return (923 yards on 69 returns) over his career
• Named 2018 NSIC Defensive Player of the Year
• Named 2018 AFCA DII All-America First Team
• Three-time NSIC North Division All-Conference First Team
• Voted Bemidji State's Defensive and Special Teams MVP
• Played baseball at Bemidji State before an injury sidelined him during his junior season and focus shifted to football
• Played in 91 games (91 starts) and batted .316 with 18 doubles, four triples, eight home runs, 53 RBI, 60 runs scored and 30 stolen bases (in 37 attempts)

PERSONAL

• Attended Alvin High School (Alvin, Texas)
• Two-sport athlete, earning two varsity letters in both football and baseball
• Two-time First-Team all-district safety and holds the school record in tackles in a season (150) as well as career tackles (270) and career interceptions (seven)
• Forced six fumbles and returned three punts for TDs as a senior
• Son of Eric and Collette Olszewski
• Father, Eric, was a minor league baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves organization
• Full name:Kaleb Gunner Olszewski