Garo Yepremian discovered football on television, the same medium that would propel him to stardom in the sport he never played growing up in Cyprus.

It sounds like an impossible story but it’s true. In 1966, the likeable and enthusiast Armenian, standing at just 5-foot-7 and tipping the scales at a measly 160 pounds, set out on a mission to convince people he could play in the National Football League. With his brother, Krikor, serving as his agent, Yepremian amazingly won a job with the Detroit Lions after trying out with the team. He was 22 and had only been in the country six weeks when he played his first game in the NFL.

In his first year with the Lions, Yepremian kicked six field goals in a single game, which was at the time an NFL record. Practically overnight, he went from an immigrant with a student visa to a football phenom. “My parents thought I’d play soccer or tennis in Europe. They never thought I’d play professional football and so well,” Yepremian said. “It was easy my first year. I didn’t have training camp because I went right into the game and camp was already over.”

After two years with the Lions, Yepremian played from the Miami Dolphins from 1970-78 and then finished his career with short stints in New Orleans and Tampa Bay. It was in Miami where he really made a name for himself, leading the league in points in 1971 and helping the Dolphins to a perfect season in1972, the only time in history a team has accomplished that feat.

As if his stellar kicking ability wasn’t enough, Yepremian was also made famous in other ways. Once while with the Lions, he celebrated an extra point by saying “I keek a touchdown.” Later, he made one of the wackier Super Bowl blunders of all-time when he tried to throw a pass that turned into an interception returned for a touchdown – which, thankfully, did not prevent Miami from winning the championship.

The game changed a lot over the years for Yepremian but one thing that never changed was his love for America. Since the first day he landed in the United States, he fell in love with the country and he reminds people whenever he can how lucky they are to be free. Now, almost 50 years later, he professes that love of freedom as a motivational speaker. His speeches are peppered with tales of his experiences with football, family and life. After a courageous seven-year battle, Yepremian’s daughter-in-law succumbed to brain cancer in 2005. He is motivated by her struggle and honors her each year through the Yepremian Foundation, hosting three celebrity-driven fundraisers dedicated to brain cancer research.

Yepremian is steady on the speaking circuit and travels coast to coast for charities and corporations, with stops in Miami where he has achieved legendary status. But here back home, he enjoys life with his family in peaceful Chester County. Ain’t that a kick?.