By Ryan Lee, PSO Asst. Director of Sports Operations
Aug 19, 2021



NFL placekicker Morten Andersen didn’t even start playing football until high school, where he played only one season before being recruited to kick at Michigan State. After a successful college career, the Denmark native was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 1982 NFL Draft. Andersen spent a whopping 25 seasons in the league, breaking countless records in the process and positioning himself as one of the greatest kickers to ever play in the NFL.

  • HOF resume: 7x Pro Bowl, 5x 1st Team All-Pro, 1988 2nd Team, 1980s & 1990s All-Decade Team, 1987 NFL FGM Leader
  • HOF resume: 1986 NFL FG% Leader, Most GP (382) of all-time, 2nd most career PTS (2,544) in NFL history
  • NFL records: Career GP (382), consecutive GP by a K (248), consecutive GP with 1+ PT  (360), most GP with 1+ PT (379)
  • NFL records: T-most seasons with 90 PTS (22), t-most 50+ YD FGM in 1 GP (3), 2nd most career PTS (2,544)
  • Saints ranks: 1st in career PTS (1,318), FGM (302), XPM (412), & 50+ YD FGM (22), t-1st in season XP% (100 11x)
  • Saints ranks: T-2nd & 5th in season FGM (31/29), 2nd in season PTS/GP (10.1), 5th in career FG% (77.6)
  • Most career GP in NFL history: 1. Andersen (382), 2. Adam Vinatieri (365), 3. Gary Anderson (353), 4. Jeff Feagles (352)

MORTEN ANDERSEN WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST KICKERS IN NFL HISTORY

Morten Andersen’s professional career did not get off to a great start; he twisted his ankle on his very first kickoff and was sidelined for eight weeks. Thankfully, this was not a sign of things to come, as the Michigan State product played for an astounding 25 seasons in the NFL, most notably for the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. Andersen’s consistently high production earned him a Hall of Fame induction in 2017, making him one of two true place kickers (Jan Stenerud) to ever receive such an honor.

The Great Dane accomplished a tremendous amount during his long tenure in the league, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and being named 1st-Team All-Pro five times, along with All-Decade recognition in the 1980s and 1990s. He also held the record for the most career points (2,544) in NFL history before Adam Vinatieri surpassed him. Given his extraordinary longevity and the countless awards to his name, Andersen has firmly established his legacy as one of the greatest kickers to ever play in the NFL.

  • HOF career highlights

 

  • Best kicks as a Saint

 

  • Andersen was automatic

 

 

 

Share this Morten Andersen article with friends and follow for more great sports content!