José Rafael Septién Michel (born December 12, 1953) is a Mexican-American former placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Rafael Septién's father, Carlos, was a professional soccer player in Mexico, who played for the national football team in the 1950 and 1954 FIFA World Cups. He looked to follow in his steps by joining Club América's youth system.
A friend told him that the University of Southwestern Louisiana needed a kicker, so he walked-on to the football team after a tryout. He experienced success from the start of his football career. On October 5, 1974, he kicked a 57-yard field goal, breaking Gerald Landry's 1963 school record. In 1975 and 1976, he received first team Southland Conference honors.
Septién 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:
Most field goals made in a game: 5 vs. San Jose State University (1974).
Most points a game: 16 vs. San Jose State University (1974).
Most field goals attempted in a game: 6 vs. San Jose State University (1974).
Most field goals made in a season: 26 (1974).
Longest field goal: 57 yards vs. Lamar University (1974).
Most 50+ yard field goals in a season: 4 (1974).
Most 50+ yard field goals in a career: 9 (1974–1976).
Most 50+ yard field goals in a season: 4 (1974).
Most 50+ yard field goals in a game: 2 vs. Lamar University (1974).
Septién was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the tenth round (258th overall) of the 1977 NFL draft. He was waived on August 31.
On September 16, 1977, Septién was signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Rams. He made 18 out of 30 field goals; his 60% average ranked fourth best in the NFC and he was named to the All-rookie team. On August 28, 1978, Septién 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 standout rookie year.
On August 30, 1978, Septién was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys, who only had rookie kicker Jay Sherrill on the roster after All-Pro Efren Herrera was traded to the Seattle Seahawks because of a contract holdout. He showed 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 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 1979, Septién finished third in scoring in the NFC. In 1980, he set a franchise record with 59 extra points and was fifth in scoring in the NFC.
In 1981, Septién received All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors at the end of the season, after tying Eddie Murray for the league lead with franchise records for 121 points, 27 field goals, and nine straight field goals made. He became the Cowboys' all-time career field goal leader with 73.