Brief Introduction of Ka’imi Fairbairn
John Christian Kaʻiminoeauloamekaʻikeokekumupaʻa Fairbairn, professionally known as Ka’imi Fairbairn, is a distinguished American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Since joining the league as an undrafted free agent in 2016, Fairbairn has established himself as one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL. His journey is marked by a record-setting collegiate career at UCLA, where he won the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker, and a professional career highlighted by leading the league in scoring and setting multiple franchise records for the Texans.
Ka’imi Fairbairn Overview
| Full Name | John Christian Kaʻiminoeauloamekaʻikeokekumupaʻa Fairbairn |
| Known As | Ka’imi Fairbairn |
| Date of Birth | January 29, 1994 |
| Birthplace | Kailua, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Parents | John and Rochelle Fairbairn |
| Siblings | Kona (brother), Kiara (sister) |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 183 lb (83 kg) |
| Profession | NFL Placekicker |
| Team | Houston Texans |
| Wife | Rachel Inouye |
Early Life and Education of Ka’imi Fairbairn
Ka’imi Fairbairn was born in Kailua, Hawaii, to John and Rochelle Fairbairn. He is the eldest of three children, with a younger brother named Kona and a younger sister named Kiara. From a young age, Fairbairn has gone by his Hawaiian name, Kaʻimi, which translates to “seeker of wisdom.” This choice reflects his deep connection to his Hawaiian heritage.
Fairbairn attended the prestigious Punahou School in Honolulu, where he was a dual-sport athlete, excelling in both football and soccer. On the soccer field, he was a two-time first-team all-state selection as a central defender and contributed to two state championships. Although he initially preferred catching the football, his talent as a kicker became evident. During his high school football career, he was named a two-star recruit and earned first-team All-State honors in his junior and senior years.
Ka’imi Fairbairn’s Career
College Career at UCLA
Fairbairn continued his academic and athletic pursuits at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he majored in financial actuarial mathematics. He made an immediate impact on the football field, securing the starting kicker position as a true freshman. This marked the beginning of a historic collegiate career, as he became the first player in UCLA history to score over 100 points in four consecutive seasons.
His senior year in 2015 was particularly noteworthy. Fairbairn was awarded the Lou Groza Award, recognizing him as the nation’s top collegiate placekicker. He was also a consensus first-team All-American. By the end of his time at UCLA, he had set a new Pac-12 Conference record for career points, surpassing the previous mark held by another former Bruins kicker, John Lee.
Professional Career with the Houston Texans
Despite his decorated college career, Fairbairn went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft. However, he was quickly signed as a free agent by the Houston Texans. After spending his rookie season on injured reserve, he won the starting kicker job in 2017.
Fairbairn’s breakout season came in 2018 when he led the entire NFL in scoring with 150 points and field goals made with 37. This performance earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors for December. He has since become a cornerstone of the Texans’ special teams unit, setting multiple franchise records. He holds the record for the longest field goal in Texans history with a 61-yard kick against the Seattle Seahawks in 2021. He also owns the franchise records for the most 50-plus yard field goals and the most consecutive field goals made.
Over the years, Fairbairn has demonstrated remarkable consistency. In the 2022 season, he was perfect on all 24 of his extra-point attempts and converted 29 of 31 field goal attempts. The following season, he had a career-high field goal percentage of 96.4%. His clutch performances have earned him multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards. In recognition of his value to the team, the Texans have signed him to several contract extensions, with the most recent being a three-year deal in March 2024.
Ka’imi Fairbairn Personal Life & Family
Ka’imi Fairbairn is a family-oriented man who remains close to his parents, John and Rochelle, and his siblings, Kona and Kiara. His mother, Rochelle, is an early childhood teacher and advocate. While his father’s profession is not publicly known, it is clear that his parents have been instrumental in his success and have supported him throughout his career.
Fairbairn is married to his high school sweetheart, Rachel Inouye. The couple met at Punahou School and began dating in 2011. They both attended UCLA, where Rachel was a standout volleyball player. After a long-term relationship, they tied the knot in February 2020 in a ceremony in Hawai’i. The couple values their privacy and maintains a low-key presence on social media.
Awards and Achievements of Ka’imi Fairbairn
- NFL scoring leader (2018)
- Lou Groza Award (2015)
- Consensus All-American (2015)
- Second-team All-Pac-12 (2015)
- Multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors
- AFC Special Teams Player of the Month (December 2018)
Ka’imi Fairbairn Net Worth and Income
As of recent reporting, Ka’imi Fairbairn’s net worth is reflective of his successful and enduring career in the NFL. In March 2024, he signed a three-year contract extension with the Houston Texans worth $15.9 million, which included a significant signing bonus and guaranteed money. His average annual salary under this new contract is $5.3 million. Throughout his career with the Texans, Fairbairn has secured several lucrative contracts, contributing to his substantial earnings.
Legacy and Influence
Ka’imi Fairbairn’s legacy is defined by his consistent excellence and his representation of his Hawaiian heritage on a national stage. He has proven to be one of the most accurate and reliable kickers in the NFL, holding several key franchise records for the Houston Texans. His journey from an undrafted free agent to a league-leading scorer serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes. Off the field, his dedication to his family and his pride in his Hawaiian roots have earned him respect and admiration.
Interesting Facts about Ka’imi Fairbairn
- His full name is John Christian Kaʻiminoeauloamekaʻikeokekumupaʻa Fairbairn. He has mentioned that his mother is the one who uses his full name, typically when she is upset with him.
- In addition to his football prowess, Fairbairn is an avid golfer.
- He was named to the UCLA Athletic Director’s Honor Roll multiple times during his college career.
- Fairbairn found the weather in Houston to be reminiscent of his home in Hawaii, which helped him acclimate to his new city.
Social Media Presence
Ka’imi Fairbairn and his wife, Rachel, are known for maintaining a private life and have a limited presence on social media platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). They prefer to focus on their family and close friends rather than engaging with a broad public audience online.
Final Words about Ka’imi Fairbairn
Ka’imi Fairbairn’s career is a testament to perseverance, skill, and a deep connection to his roots. From his record-setting days at UCLA to becoming one of the most dependable kickers in the NFL, he has consistently performed at a high level. As he continues his career with the Houston Texans, his legacy as a premier special teams player and a proud representative of Hawaii is firmly established.
