Rafael Septien José Rafael Septién Michel ( born December 12 , 1953 in Mexico City ) is a former Mexican placekicker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1978 through 1986 . He was the leading scorer for the Cowboys those nine years . He initially played for the Los Angeles Rams in 1977 after finishing college at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette . Early years . His father Carlos Septien was a professional soccer player in Mexico , so he looked to follow his steps by joining Club América ' s youth system . He was never a regular starter so he decided to aim for the NFL . A friend told him that the University of Louisiana at Lafayette needed a kicker , so he walked on to the football team after a tryout . Septien experienced success from the start of his football career . On October 5 , 1974 he kicked a 57 - yard field goal , breaking Gerald Landry 1963 school record . In 1975 and 1976 he was named first team Southland Conference . Septien had a remarkable college career , finishing as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette all - time leading kicker and breaking many of the school ' s records , some of which still stand today : Professional career . New Orleans Saints . Septien was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 10th round of the 1977 NFL Draft , but was waived during training camp . Los Angeles Rams . He was signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Rams in 1977 , making 18 out of 30 field goals ( 60 % ) and being named to the All - Rookie team . In 1978 he was released after the final pre - season game to make room for third round draft choice Frank Corral , who would go on to have a great rookie year . Dallas Cowboys . In 1978 the Dallas Cowboys were looking for a replacement for All - Pro Efren Herrera , who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks because of a contract dispute . He made the team after a tryout , showing a strong leg for kickoffs , and was second in scoring in the NFC . He also played in Super Bowl XIII , making a 27 - yard field goal in the third quarter and scoring four PATs , in a 35 - 31 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers . He was selected to the Pro Bowl at the end of the 1981 season , after making a league high 121 points . In 1983 he set a Cowboys ' record with 123 points . Septien was indicted on April 8 , 1987 after pleading guilty to a charge of indecency with a child , receiving a 10 - year probated sentence . A week later he was released by the team and replaced with Roger Ruzek . He led the Cowboys in scoring in all of his 9 seasons with the team , making 162 field goals in 226 attempts and scoring 388 PATs . He left as the club ' s all - time scoring leader ( 874 points ) , 10th all - time in league history and his 91 % field goal accuracy in the playoffs was the best in NFL history . Septien was named to the Cowboys ' 40th anniversary team in 2000 . Miami Dolphins . In 1988 he had a tryout with the Miami Dolphins but wasn ' t signed . Denver Broncos . In 1989 he was signed by the Denver Broncos but was waived during the pre - season . Legal incident . A Dallas County , Texas , grand jury indicted him January 22 , 1987 , on a charge of mishandling of a minor . Septien pleaded guilty on April 8 , 1987 , to a charge of indecency with a child in an agreement with prosecutors that brought him a sentence of 10 years ' deferred probation and a $ 2 , 000 fine . He was released by the Cowboys a week later . He never played again . Personal life . He currently lives in Cancún , Mexico . He appeared in 2 movies filmed in Mexico