Morten Andersen
Encyclopedia
Morten Andersen nicknamed "The Great Dane", is a former National Football League
kicker
. He holds the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, as well as being the all-time leading scorer for two different teams; the New Orleans Saints
, with whom he spent 13 seasons, and the Atlanta Falcons
, with whom he spent a combined eight seasons.
He officially retired December 8, 2008, after not having played all season.
and raised in the west Jutland
town of Struer, Denmark
. As a student, he was a gymnast and a long jump
er, and barely missed becoming a member of the Danish junior national soccer
team. He visited the United States
in 1977 as a Youth For Understanding
exchange student. He first kicked an American football
on a whim at Ben Davis High School
in Indianapolis
. He was so impressive in his one season of high school football that he was given a scholarship to Michigan State University
.
Andersen, with his left leg as his dominant kicking leg, starred at Michigan State, setting several records, including a Big Ten Conference
record 63-yard field goal against Ohio State University
. He was named an All American in 1981. His success landed him the kicking job with the New Orleans Saints
. On September 24, 2011 he was inducted into the Michigan State University Athletics Hall of Fame.
s, kicked 302 field goal
s, and scored 1318 points. In 1991, against Chicago
, Andersen kicked a 60-yard field goal, tying him with Steve Cox for the second-longest field goal in league history at the time, behind the 63-yard record-holder kicked by Tom Dempsey
. (Andersen's kick has since been matched by Rob Bironas
and Dan Carpenter
, and surpassed by Sebastian Janikowski
(twice), Jason Elam
and Matt Bryant
.) Andersen's proficiency with field goal kicking earned him the nickname "Mr. Automatic." Following the 1994 season, he was released by the Saints for salary cap purposes and because his accuracy had started to decline.
Following his release by the Saints, Andersen signed with the Atlanta Falcons
. He silenced those who felt him to be washed up and was once again named a Pro Bowler during his time in Atlanta. In December 1995 against the Saints, he became the first player in NFL history to kick three field goals of over 50 yards in a single game.
In Week 17 of the 1996 season, Andersen missed a 30-yard field goal that enabled the Jacksonville Jaguars
to make the playoffs. Two years later, he kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime in the 1998 NFC Championship Game
to beat the Minnesota Vikings
and send the Falcons to its first-ever Super Bowl
appearance.
There are a number of interesting coincidences between Andersen and former NFL placekicker Gary Anderson. Anderson and Andersen have nearly identical last names, were born within a year of one another outside the United States (Anderson was born in South Africa), came to the United States as teenagers, had long and successful NFL careers throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and hold first or second place in a number of NFL records for scoring, field goals, and longevity. Their overall accuracy is also nearly identical; their career percentage being within .5 % of each other on both FGs and PATs. Also, Anderson missed a field goal in the 1998 NFC Championship Game for the Minnesota Vikings
before Andersen kicked his winning kick, both from the same distance as well.
Andersen went on to play with the New York Giants
for the 2001 season, followed by the Kansas City Chiefs
the following two seasons. In the 2004 offseason, Andersen was beaten out for the kicking job by rookie Lawrence Tynes
. He was released by the Chiefs for the final roster cut, and was subsequently signed by the Vikings. Although his leg strength had declined greatly with age, he continued to prove himself accurate for field goals. Having not been signed by a team following the 2004 season, he became a free agent and did not play in 2005. He announced NFL Europe
games in the 2005 season.
In January 2006, Andersen was inducted as the first member of the Danish American Football Federation Hall of Fame
. Later that year, Andersen returned to the NFL, re-signing with the Atlanta Falcons
; Andersen was brought in to help Michael Koenen
, who was at the time performing double duty as punter and kicker (an extremely rare occurrence in the NFL) missing several field goals in that capacity, and Koenen reverted to strictly punting after Andersen's signing. His first game back was against his former team, the Saints, on Monday Night Football
. The game was the first game in the Louisiana Superdome
since Hurricane Katrina
prevented its use for the entire 2005 regular season. Andersen scored the only Falcon points with a 26-yard field goal in the first quarter. In his second game back, Andersen made 5 of 5 field goals (matching his career best for the ninth time), as well as both extra point attempts. He was named NFC special teams player of the week, becoming the oldest player to earn the honor since the award was first introduced in 1984. He is also the team record holder for both the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons for overall points scored.
On December 16, 2006, Andersen passed Gary Anderson to become the all-time leading scorer in NFL history. The following weekend, December 24, 2006 Andersen again passed Anderson to become the NFL's career leader in field goals made.
On September 17, 2007, he again signed with the Falcons in an attempt to secure their unreliable kicking game. By the end of the regular season he had made 25 of 28 field goals (89.3%), the most accurate season of his career.
In the 2008 season, Morten Andersen did not get a contract with any team, but waited until December 8 to officially retire. If Morten Andersen had played on or after December 6, he would have been the oldest NFL player to play, breaking George Blanda's
record.
On November 6, 2009, Morten Andersen was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.
Team Scoring Records:
(Only player to hold career statistical franchise record for two NFL teams)
Pro Bowl records:
Andersen holds 2nd place in the following NFL records:
Andersen had stated that his goal was to be the first NFL player to play until he turns 50 in 2010. However he retired December 8, 2008 – just two days after he would have become the oldest person ever to play in an NFL game, if he had gotten a contract. The record held by George Blanda
still stands – Blanda played in his last NFL game on January 4, 1976 (the 1975 AFC Championship) at the age of .
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
kicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
. He holds the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, as well as being the all-time leading scorer for two different teams; the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, with whom he spent 13 seasons, and the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, with whom he spent a combined eight seasons.
He officially retired December 8, 2008, after not having played all season.
Early life
Andersen was born in CopenhagenCopenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
and raised in the west Jutland
Jutland
Jutland , historically also called Cimbria, is the name of the peninsula that juts out in Northern Europe toward the rest of Scandinavia, forming the mainland part of Denmark. It has the North Sea to its west, Kattegat and Skagerrak to its north, the Baltic Sea to its east, and the Danish–German...
town of Struer, Denmark
Struer, Denmark
Struer is the main town of the kommune of Struer, Region Midtjylland, Denmark with a population of 10,572 .The town of Struer owes its growth to the railroad, which arrived in 1865 with Jutland's first railroad line from Århus/Randers over Viborg to Skive and Struer...
. As a student, he was a gymnast and a long jump
Long jump
The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength, and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point...
er, and barely missed becoming a member of the Danish junior national soccer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
team. He visited the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1977 as a Youth For Understanding
Youth For Understanding
Youth For Understanding is one of the world's oldest, largest, and most respected international exchange programs. Each year, YFU exchanges approximately 4,500 students worldwide.-Organization:...
exchange student. He first kicked an American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
on a whim at Ben Davis High School
Ben Davis High School
Ben Davis High School is a three year American high school in Marion County, Indianapolis, Indiana. As of 2010 , it has a student enrollment of nearly 3,500 and a staff of 178.-History:...
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. He was so impressive in his one season of high school football that he was given a scholarship to Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
.
Andersen, with his left leg as his dominant kicking leg, starred at Michigan State, setting several records, including a Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
record 63-yard field goal against Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. He was named an All American in 1981. His success landed him the kicking job with the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. On September 24, 2011 he was inducted into the Michigan State University Athletics Hall of Fame.
NFL career
Andersen's NFL career got off to a rocky start. On his first NFL kickoff to start the strike-shortened 1982 season, Andersen twisted his ankle and missed eight weeks of the season. Despite the early setback, he soon emerged as one of the strongest and most reliable placekickers in the NFL. In his years with the Saints, he was named to six Pro BowlPro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
s, kicked 302 field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
s, and scored 1318 points. In 1991, against Chicago
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Andersen kicked a 60-yard field goal, tying him with Steve Cox for the second-longest field goal in league history at the time, behind the 63-yard record-holder kicked by Tom Dempsey
Tom Dempsey
Thomas Dempsey is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints , Philadelphia Eagles , Los Angeles Rams , Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills . He attended high school at San Dieguito High School and played college football at Palomar College...
. (Andersen's kick has since been matched by Rob Bironas
Rob Bironas
James Robert Douglas "Rob" Bironas is an American football placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at Auburn University and Georgia Southern.Bironas was an All-Pro...
and Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
, and surpassed by Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski is a left-footed Polish placekicker who plays for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders. He is nicknamed The Polish Cannon because he is considered to have one of the strongest kicking legs in the league, and leads the NFL in kickoffs for touchbacks. He lives in...
(twice), Jason Elam
Jason Elam
Jason Elam is a retired American football placekicker. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii....
and Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
.) Andersen's proficiency with field goal kicking earned him the nickname "Mr. Automatic." Following the 1994 season, he was released by the Saints for salary cap purposes and because his accuracy had started to decline.
Following his release by the Saints, Andersen signed with the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He silenced those who felt him to be washed up and was once again named a Pro Bowler during his time in Atlanta. In December 1995 against the Saints, he became the first player in NFL history to kick three field goals of over 50 yards in a single game.
In Week 17 of the 1996 season, Andersen missed a 30-yard field goal that enabled the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
to make the playoffs. Two years later, he kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime in the 1998 NFC Championship Game
NFC Championship Game
The National Football Conference Championship Game is one of the two semi-final playoff matches of the National Football League, the largest professional American football league in the United States. The game is played on the penultimate Sunday in January and determines the champion of the...
to beat the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
and send the Falcons to its first-ever Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
appearance.
There are a number of interesting coincidences between Andersen and former NFL placekicker Gary Anderson. Anderson and Andersen have nearly identical last names, were born within a year of one another outside the United States (Anderson was born in South Africa), came to the United States as teenagers, had long and successful NFL careers throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and hold first or second place in a number of NFL records for scoring, field goals, and longevity. Their overall accuracy is also nearly identical; their career percentage being within .5 % of each other on both FGs and PATs. Also, Anderson missed a field goal in the 1998 NFC Championship Game for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
before Andersen kicked his winning kick, both from the same distance as well.
Andersen went on to play with the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
for the 2001 season, followed by the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
the following two seasons. In the 2004 offseason, Andersen was beaten out for the kicking job by rookie Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence James Henry Tynes is an American football placekicker for the New York Giants. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2001.-Early years:...
. He was released by the Chiefs for the final roster cut, and was subsequently signed by the Vikings. Although his leg strength had declined greatly with age, he continued to prove himself accurate for field goals. Having not been signed by a team following the 2004 season, he became a free agent and did not play in 2005. He announced NFL Europe
NFL Europe
NFL Europe was an American football league which operated in Europe from 1991 until 2007. Backed by the National Football League , the largest professional American football league in the United States, it was founded as the World League of American Football to serve as a type of spring league...
games in the 2005 season.
In January 2006, Andersen was inducted as the first member of the Danish American Football Federation Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
. Later that year, Andersen returned to the NFL, re-signing with the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
; Andersen was brought in to help Michael Koenen
Michael Koenen
Michael J. Koenen is an American football punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Western Washington....
, who was at the time performing double duty as punter and kicker (an extremely rare occurrence in the NFL) missing several field goals in that capacity, and Koenen reverted to strictly punting after Andersen's signing. His first game back was against his former team, the Saints, on Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
. The game was the first game in the Louisiana Superdome
Louisiana Superdome
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA...
since Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
prevented its use for the entire 2005 regular season. Andersen scored the only Falcon points with a 26-yard field goal in the first quarter. In his second game back, Andersen made 5 of 5 field goals (matching his career best for the ninth time), as well as both extra point attempts. He was named NFC special teams player of the week, becoming the oldest player to earn the honor since the award was first introduced in 1984. He is also the team record holder for both the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons for overall points scored.
On December 16, 2006, Andersen passed Gary Anderson to become the all-time leading scorer in NFL history. The following weekend, December 24, 2006 Andersen again passed Anderson to become the NFL's career leader in field goals made.
On September 17, 2007, he again signed with the Falcons in an attempt to secure their unreliable kicking game. By the end of the regular season he had made 25 of 28 field goals (89.3%), the most accurate season of his career.
In the 2008 season, Morten Andersen did not get a contract with any team, but waited until December 8 to officially retire. If Morten Andersen had played on or after December 6, he would have been the oldest NFL player to play, breaking George Blanda's
George Blanda
George Frederick Blanda was a collegiate and professional football quarterback and placekicker...
record.
On November 6, 2009, Morten Andersen was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.
Career regular season statistics
| Regular season statistics | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team (record) | |||||||||||||||
| 1982 1982 NFL season The 1982 NFL season was the 63rd regular season of the National Football League. A 57-day long players' strike reduced the 1982 season from a 16-game schedule per team to an abbreviated nine game schedule... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (4-5 1982 New Orleans Saints season The 1982 New Orleans Saints season saw the Saints nearly qualify for the NFL Playoffs.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-References:**... ) |
8 | 2 | 5 | 40.0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1-1 | 1-3 | 0-1 | 45 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 100.0 | 12 |
| 1983 1983 NFL season The 1983 NFL season was the 64th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XVIII when the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins.-Major rule changes:... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (8-8 1983 New Orleans Saints season The 1983 New Orleans Saints season was the team's 17th as a member of the National Football League. They improved on their previous season's output of 4-5, winning eight games. Despite the improvement, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the seventeenth consecutive... ) |
16 | 18 | 24 | 75.0 | 2-2 | 8-8 | 3-4 | 2-6 | 3-4 | 52 | 1 | 37 | 38 | 97.4 | 91 |
| 1984 1984 NFL season The 1984 NFL season was the 65th regular season of the National Football League. The Colts relocated from Baltimore, Maryland to Indianapolis, Indiana.... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (7-9 1984 New Orleans Saints season The 1984 New Orleans Saints season was the team's 18th as a member of the National Football League. They were unable to improve on their previous season's output of 8-8, winning only seven games. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the eighteenth consecutive... ) |
16 | 20 | 27 | 74.1 | 0-0 | 9-9 | 4-4 | 5-11 | 2-3 | 53 | 1 | 34 | 34 | 100.0 | 94 |
| 1985 1985 NFL season The 1985 NFL season was the 66th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XX when the Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots.-Major rule changes:... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (5-11 1985 New Orleans Saints season The 1985 New Orleans Saints season was the Saints 19th season. It was Earl Campbell’s final season in the NFL.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-References:**... ) |
16 | 31 | 35 | 88.6 | 0-0 | 4-5 | 13-14 | 11-12 | 3-4 | 55 | 1 | 27 | 29 | 93.1 | 108 |
| 1986 1986 NFL season The 1986 NFL season was the 67th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXI when the New York Giants defeated the Denver Broncos to win their first league title in 30 years.-Major rule changes:... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (7-9 1986 New Orleans Saints season The 1986 New Orleans Saints season was the team's 20th as a member of the National Football League. They bested their previous season's output of 5–11, winning seven games. Despite being in the NFL for twenty seasons, the team still had yet to qualify for the playoffs.-Staff:-Schedule:-References:... ) |
16 | 26 | 30 | 86.7 | 1-1 | 11-11 | 6-7 | 6-6 | 2-5 | 53 | 0 | 30 | 30 | 100.0 | 120 |
| 1987 1987 NFL season The 1987 NFL season was the 68th regular season of the National Football League. A 24-day players' strike reduced the 16-game season to 15. The games that were scheduled for the third week of the season were canceled, but the games for weeks 4–6 were played with replacement players... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (12-3 1987 New Orleans Saints season The 1987 New Orleans Saints season was the Saints' 21st season. The Saints qualified for the postseason for the first time, riding largely on a nine-game winning streak to close the season... ) |
12 | 28 | 36 | 77.8 | 3-3 | 6-6 | 9-9 | 8-12 | 2-6 | 52 | 0 | 37 | 37 | 100.0 | 121 |
| 1988 1988 NFL season The 1988 NFL season was the 69th regular season of the National Football League. The Cardinals relocated from St. Louis, Missouri to the Phoenix, Arizona area becoming the Phoenix Cardinals but remained in the NFC East division.... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (10-6 1988 New Orleans Saints season The 1988 New Orleans Saints season was the team's 22nd as a member of the National Football League. They were unable to match their previous season's output of 12–3, winning only ten games and failing to qualify for the playoffs.-Staff:-Schedule:... ) |
16 | 26 | 36 | 72.2 | 1-1 | 11-12 | 8-11 | 5-8 | 1-4 | 51 | 1 | 32 | 33 | 97.0 | 110 |
| 1989 1989 NFL season The 1989 NFL season was the 70th regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle announced his retirement... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (9-7 1989 New Orleans Saints season -NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-External links:**... ) |
16 | 20 | 29 | 69.0 | 0-0 | 7-8 | 10-11 | 3-6 | 0-4 | 49 | 1 | 44 | 45 | 97.8 | 104 |
| 1990 1990 NFL season The 1990 NFL season was the 71st regular season of the National Football League. To increase revenue, the league changed the regular season so that all NFL teams would play their 16-game schedule over a 17-week period... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (8-8 1990 New Orleans Saints season The 1990 New Orleans Saints season saw the Saints qualify for the postseason. The Saints became the 5th team in NFL history at or below .500 to qualify for postseason play.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Roster:-Schedule:-Playoffs:-External links:**... ) |
16 | 21 | 27 | 77.8 | 0-0 | 5-5 | 5-6 | 8-12 | 3-4 | 52 | 1 | 29 | 29 | 100.0 | 92 |
| 1991 1991 NFL season The 1991 NFL season was the 72nd regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXVI when the Washington Redskins defeated the Buffalo Bills.... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (11-5 1991 New Orleans Saints season The 1991 New Orleans Saints season saw the Saints win their first ever division title.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Roster:-Schedule:-Playoffs:-NFC Wild Card Game:... ) |
16 | 25 | 32 | 78.1 | 0-0 | 6-6 | 11-13 | 6-9 | 2-4 | 60 | 0 | 38 | 38 | 100.0 | 113 |
| 1992 1992 NFL season The 1992 NFL season was the 73rd regular season of the National Football League.Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Andrew, the New England Patriots–Miami Dolphins game that was scheduled for September 6 at Joe Robbie Stadium was rescheduled to October 18. Both teams originally had that... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (12-4 1992 New Orleans Saints season The 1992 New Orleans Saints season saw the Saints qualify for the postseason.-Offseason:The team entered 1992 with great expectations after its NFC West division title season of 1991. It was the franchise's first division championship since entering the NFL in 1967... ) |
16 | 29 | 34 | 85.3 | 0-0 | 10-10 | 8-10 | 8-11 | 3-3 | 52 | 0 | 33 | 34 | 97.1 | 120 |
| 1993 1993 NFL season The 1993 NFL season was the 74th regular season of the National Football League. For the first time in league history, all NFL teams played their 16-game schedule over a span of 18 weeks. After the success of expanding the regular season to a period of 17 weeks in 1990, the league hoped this new... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (8-8 1993 New Orleans Saints season The 1993 New Orleans Saints season was the team's 27th as a member of the National Football League. They were unable to match their previous season's output of 12–4, winning only eight games. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in four years.-Staff:-Schedule:-References:... ) |
16 | 28 | 35 | 80.0 | 2-2 | 7-7 | 7-7 | 11-14 | 1-5 | 56 | 0 | 33 | 33 | 100.0 | 117 |
| 1994 1994 NFL season The 1994 NFL season was the 75th regular season of the National Football League. To honor the NFL's 75th season, a special anniversary logo was designed and each player wore a patch on their jerseys with this logo throughout the season... |
New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... (7-9 1994 New Orleans Saints season The 1994 New Orleans Saints season was the team's 28th as a member of the National Football League. They were unable to match their previous season's output of 8–8, winning only seven games. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second straight year.-Staff:-Schedule:-References:... ) |
16 | 28 | 39 | 71.8 | 0-0 | 9-9 | 11-14 | 8-10 | 0-6 | 48 | 3 | 32 | 32 | 100.0 | 116 |
| 1995 1995 NFL season The 1995 NFL season was the 76th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 30 teams with the addition of the Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars... |
Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... (9-7 1995 Atlanta Falcons season The Atlanta Falcons season was the team's 30th season in the National Football League. The Falcons qualified for the postseason.-Schedule:-Playoffs:- References :* *... ) |
16 | 31 | 37 | 83.8 | 1-1 | 8-8 | 11-11 | 3-8 | 8-9 | 59 | 2 | 29 | 30 | 96.7 | 122 |
| 1996 1996 NFL season The 1996 NFL season was the 77th regular season of the National Football League and the season was marked by notable controversies from beginning to end... |
Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... (3-13 1996 Atlanta Falcons season -Roster:-Schedule:-References:... ) |
16 | 22 | 29 | 75.9 | 0-0 | 5-5 | 9-11 | 7-8 | 1-5 | 54 | 1 | 31 | 31 | 100.0 | 97 |
| 1997 1997 NFL season The 1997 NFL season was the 78th regular season of the National Football League. The Oilers relocated from Houston, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee... |
Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... (7-9 1997 Atlanta Falcons season -Schedule:-References:* *... ) |
16 | 23 | 27 | 85.2 | 1-1 | 10-10 | 7-7 | 3-6 | 2-3 | 55 | 0 | 35 | 35 | 100.0 | 104 |
| 1998 1998 NFL season The 1998 NFL season was the 79th regular season of the National Football League.The Tennessee Oilers moved their home games from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, still awaiting construction on a new stadium in Nashville.This was the first season that CBS... |
Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... (14-2 1998 Atlanta Falcons season The 1998 Atlanta Falcons season saw the Falcons qualify for the Super Bowl for the first time under the guidance of second-year head coach Dan Reeves. The team won its final nine games of the season to earn the #2 seed in the NFC for the playoffs and the first-week bye... ) |
16 | 23 | 28 | 82.1 | 0-1 | 8-9 | 7-7 | 6-9 | 2-2 | 53 | 2 | 51 | 52 | 98.1 | 120 |
| 1999 1999 NFL season The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season... |
Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... (5-11 1999 Atlanta Falcons season The 1999 Atlanta Falcons season was the team's 34th in the National Football League. The Falcons were unable to match their previous season's output of 14–2, failed to reach the playoffs and therefore would not be the first team to host and play in the Super Bowl.-NFL Draft:1999 Draft class1 30... ) |
16 | 15 | 21 | 71.4 | 1-1 | 5-5 | 5-8 | 4-6 | 0-1 | 49 | 1 | 34 | 34 | 100.0 | 79 |
| 2000 2000 NFL season The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.Week 1 of the season reverted to Labor Day weekend in 2000... |
Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... (4-12 2000 Atlanta Falcons season The 2000 Atlanta Falcons season was the Falcons 35th season. The Falcons offense scored 252 points while the defense gave up 413 points.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Preseason:-Schedule:-Awards and records:... ) |
16 | 25 | 31 | 80.6 | 0-0 | 6-6 | 6-7 | 11-15 | 2-3 | 51 | 0 | 23 | 23 | 100.0 | 98 |
| 2001 2001 NFL season The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day... |
New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... (7-9 2001 New York Giants season The New York Giants' 2001 season saw them return as Super Bowl runners-up, after losing Super Bowl XXXV to the Baltimore Ravens. The Giants finished with a 7–9 record and failed to qualify for the play-offs.-NFL Draft:-Season:... ) |
16 | 23 | 28 | 82.1 | 0-0 | 8-8 | 7-8 | 6-7 | 2-5 | 51 | 0 | 29 | 30 | 96.7 | 98 |
| 2002 2002 NFL season The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each... |
Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... (8-8 2002 Kansas City Chiefs season The 2002 Kansas City Chiefs season marked the franchise's 40th season in Kansas City, Missouri and ended with an 8–8 record and a tie for third place in the AFC West.... ) |
14 | 22 | 26 | 84.8 | 0-0 | 6-6 | 10-10 | 5-9 | 1-1 | 50 | 0 | 51 | 51 | 100.0 | 117 |
| 2003 2003 NFL season -Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *... |
Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... (13-3 2003 Kansas City Chiefs season The 2003 Kansas City Chiefs season resulted in a 13–3 record, beginning with a nine-game winning streak—the franchise’s best start in their 40-year history. The Chiefs won the AFC West and clinched the second seed in the playoffs... ) |
16 | 16 | 20 | 80.0 | 0-0 | 3-3 | 8-8 | 5-8 | 0-1 | 49 | 1 | 58 | 59 | 98.3 | 106 |
| 2004 2004 NFL season The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005... |
Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... (8-8 2004 Minnesota Vikings season 2004 was the 44th year of season play for the Minnesota Vikings and the 85th regular season of the National Football League.The Vikings finished the 2004 season going 3-7 over the final 10 weeks just like they did in 2003. However, they made the playoffs with an 8-8 record... ) |
16 | 18 | 22 | 81.8 | 1-1 | 8-8 | 5-7 | 4-6 | 0-0 | 48 | 0 | 45 | 45 | 100.0 | 99 |
| 2006 2006 NFL season The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006... |
Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... (7-9 2006 Atlanta Falcons season -Roster:-Schedule:-Week 1: at Carolina Panthers:at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina The Falcons opened the regular season on the road against the Carolina Panthers on September 10... ) |
14 | 20 | 23 | 87.0 | 0-0 | 7-8 | 6-6 | 7-8 | 0-1 | 45 | 1 | 27 | 27 | 100.0 | 87 |
| 2007 2007 NFL season The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30.... |
Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... (4-12) |
14 | 25 | 28 | 89.3 | 0-0 | 9-9 | 12-12 | 4-7 | 0-0 | 47 | 1 | 24 | 24 | 100.0 | 99 |
| Career (25 seasons) | 382 | 565 | 709 | 79.7 | 13-14 | 176-181 | 189-213 | 147-217 | 40-84 | 60 | 18 | 849 | 859 | 98.8 | 2544 | |
NFL records
At the end of his career Andersen held the following NFL records (As of 2009):- Most games played (career) - 382
- Most consecutive games played by a placekicker - 248
- Most field goals attempted (career) - 709
- Most field goals (career)Most field goals (career)This is a list of National Football League placekickers by total career made regular season field goal as of Week 10 of the 2011 Season. Bold denotes an active player.-External links:*...
- 565 - Most points (career) - 2,544
- Most seasons, 75 or more points (career) - 24
- Most consecutive seasons, 75 or more points (career) - 23
- Most seasons, 90 or more points (career) - 22
- Most seasons, 98 or more points (career) - 18
- Most game winning field goals (career) - 103
- Games with 1+ field goals (career) - 299
- Games with 2+ field goals (career) - 178
- Oldest player to score 14 points in a game - 47 years, 133 days (for Atlanta Falcons vs. Seattle Seahawks, December 30, 2007)
- Oldest player to kick 4 field goals in a game - 47 years, 42 days (for Atlanta Falcons vs. Houston Texans, September 30, 2007)
- Oldest player to kick 5 field goals in a game - 46 years, 43 days
- Most field goals attempted of 50 or more yards (total) - 84
- Most field goals (50 or more yards) in a season - 8 (tied with Jason HansonJason HansonJason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
) - Most field goals (50 or more yards) in a game - 3 (vs. New Orleans, December 10, 1995) (tied with Neil RackersNeil RackersNeil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
, Connor BarthConnor BarthConnor Thomas Barth is an American football placekicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at North Carolina....
, Kris BrownKris BrownKristopher "Kris" Clayton Brown is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent.He was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first six years of his NFL career, he has converted 132 of 173 field goals and scored 573 points...
, Sebastian JanikowskiSebastian JanikowskiSebastian Janikowski is a left-footed Polish placekicker who plays for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders. He is nicknamed The Polish Cannon because he is considered to have one of the strongest kicking legs in the league, and leads the NFL in kickoffs for touchbacks. He lives in...
, and Josh ScobeeJosh ScobeeJoshua Taylor Scobee is an American football placekicker, who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League . He began his college football career as kicker for the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs, setting several school records...
) - Most consecutive games scoring (career) - 360
- Most games scoring (career) - 379
- Most consecutive seasons scoring (career) - 23 - tied with Gary Anderson
- Most consecutive calendar years scoring (career) - 26
Team Scoring Records:
- New Orleans Saints- 1,318 points
- Atlanta Falcons - 806 points
(Only player to hold career statistical franchise record for two NFL teams)
- New Orleans Saints - FGs made/attempted: 302/389
- Atlanta Falcons - FGs made/attempted: 184/224
- New Orleans Saints - PATs made/attempted: 412/418
- Atlanta Falcons - PATs made/attempted: 254/256
Pro Bowl records:
- Most points in Pro BowlPro BowlIn professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
(total) - 45 (15 points after touchdown, 10 field goals) - Most points after touchdown in Pro BowlPro BowlIn professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
(total) - 15 - Most field goal attempts in Pro BowlPro BowlIn professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
(total) - 18 - Most field goals in Pro BowlPro BowlIn professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
(total) - 10
Andersen holds 2nd place in the following NFL records:
- Most PATs attempted (career) - 859 (1st place: George BlandaGeorge BlandaGeorge Frederick Blanda was a collegiate and professional football quarterback and placekicker...
, 959) - Most PATs made (career) - 849 (1st place: George Blanda, 943)
- Most seasons - 25 (1st place: George Blanda, 26)
- Most seasons, 100 or more points - 14 (1st place: Jason ElamJason ElamJason Elam is a retired American football placekicker. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii....
, 16) - Most games with 5 or more field goals (career) - 9 (John Carney, 11)
Andersen had stated that his goal was to be the first NFL player to play until he turns 50 in 2010. However he retired December 8, 2008 – just two days after he would have become the oldest person ever to play in an NFL game, if he had gotten a contract. The record held by George Blanda
George Blanda
George Frederick Blanda was a collegiate and professional football quarterback and placekicker...
still stands – Blanda played in his last NFL game on January 4, 1976 (the 1975 AFC Championship) at the age of .
External links
- MortenAndersen.com Morten's Official Website
- Minnesota Score story on Andersen
- NFL All-Time Statistical Leaders from The Sports Network
- Morten Andersen's statistics on pro-football-reference.com