Robbie Gould Works Past Challenging 2015 Season By Striving For Lofty Goal
By Chris Emma--
DES PLAINES, Ill. (CBS) -- One of the most challenging seasons of Robbie Gould's professional career culminated with a rewarding honor.
Gould, the Bears' 11-year veteran kicker, was named the team's Ed Block Courage Award winner and honored Tuesday at the Maryville Academy in Des Plaines for his professionalism and dedication.
"The award itself is voted on by your teammates," Gould said prior to accepting the award. "So, anytime your teammates vote on something, whether it's an award or something else, it means a lot more."
The 2015 season brought difficult times for Gould, who missed the potential game-winning field goal against San Francisco and the potential game-tying kick against Washington, resulting in a pair of crucial home losses that contributed to the Bears slipping to 6-10 and missing the postseason.
The ninth-most accurate kicker in NFL history, Gould hit 84.6 percent of his field goals in 2015 -- his career average is 85.4 percent -- but two of those six misses brought reporters directly to his locker in the postgame aftermath and him forced to face the music. It's what every kicker fears.
Now, Gould's working through an offseason in which he's dedicated to improving himself. He's focusing on adding mass, with a strict workout regiment. He's also kicking earlier than ever.
"I want to be the best kicker to ever play the game," Gould said. "And the only way to do that is through hard work and by dedicating yourself to doing it."
Bears general manager Ryan Pace made the decision to let running back Matt Forte -- one of the most decorated Bears of all time -- walk away to free agency, and he cut beloved veteran offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod, two of many business decisions during an offseason that's seen plenty of roster turnover.
However, Gould remains on the roster despite a hefty salary that ranks among the top at his position and coming off a 2015 season that didn't meet expectations.
Looking past that, the Bears are bringing the 34-year-old Gould back for a season suddenly filled with promise. Pace and the front office bolstered the roster with some young talent in free agency and will look to add on with more impact players in the draft.
Gould's excited about what the Bears have accomplished this offseason.
"They didn't just go out on a spending spree," Gould said of Bears management this offseason. "They were very methodical about the guys they got.
"Every year, we'll continue to grow and continue to get better."
Just over a month away from the Bears' first OTAs, Gould's getting ahead of the curve compared to past years. He wants to be at peak performance come training camp in July.
Looking to the long term, Gould expressed his appreciation for being a Bear -- sentiments that carry special meaning when being honored Tuesday -- and his desire to stay in Chicago for years more.
"It's special to play for one place for a long time," Gould said, "to be able to do some certain things with your teammtes, to be around one place with great owners, with great teammates and a lot of support system."
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
