David Roy Akers is considered one of the premium kickers in the National Football League. He was born on September 12, 1974, in Lexington, Kentucky; US. He attended college at the University of Louisville, but went undrafted, which is a common fate of kickers in today's NFL. Between 1997 and 1998 he spent time trying to make the team with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and the Washington Redskins; and he was claimed from waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. Akers played for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe in 1999, and gained the regular placekicking job for the Eagles in 2000.

He made the longest field goal in Philadelphia on September 11th, 2003: a 57 yarder against the New England Patriots. Owns the team record for most points scored in one season (133, in 2002). Has two Pro Bowl selections (2001 and 2002) and the second most points scored in a playoff game in NFL history (15, on 2001 against the Chicago Bears).

He practices martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu and Shaolin Kempo, and it helps him to be focused when he tries a kick.