A highly decorated college kicker for the University of Texas, Erxleben was a three-time All-American punter (1976, 1977, and 1978) and set the record for the longest successful field goal in NCAA history at 67 yards, which is still tied today.
[6][7] Erxleben was raised in the small city of Seguin, Texas, located about 35 miles (55 km) east of San Antonio, and was a multi-sport athlete in his youth.
In 1977, in a game against Rice University, he set the record for the longest field goal in NCAA history with a 67-yard kick (with tee).
The Saints and new head coach Dick Nolan had gone through a number of kicking troubles during the 1978 season, and while the team had landed solid veterans in both positions (Rich Szaro at placekicker and Tom Blanchard at punter) by the end of the year, Nolan hoped to save a roster spot by having Erxleben perform both the place-kicking and punting duties.
Erxleben picked the ball up and made a hurried chest pass which was immediately intercepted by Atlanta's James Mayberry at the 6-yard line, who trotted into the end zone for a touchdown and led to a 40–34 Falcon victory.
[2] The next week in Milwaukee, Erxleben pulled his groin, forcing the Saints to use fullback Tony Galbreath as their emergency placekicker and wide receiver Wes Chandler at punter against the Green Bay Packers.
Nolan was forced to sign Garo Yepremian and Rick Partridge to handle the kicking/punting chores in Erxleben's extended absence.
[3] New Orleans finished the year at 8–8, one game behind the Los Angeles Rams, who won the division and played in Super Bowl XIV.
After a poor kicking performance in the first two games of the season, Erxleben would resign from placekicking duties, and continued his career for the Saints exclusively as an average punter.
Erxleben's lawyers, the law firm of Locke, Liddell & Sapp, settled a related lawsuit for $22 million in 2000.