Morten Andersen

Morten Andersen (born August 19, 1960, in Struer, Denmark) plays American football as a kicker.

Early life

He began his sporting life as a boy in Copenhagen. As a student in Denmark, he was a gymnast and a long jumper, and barely missed becoming a member of the Danish junior national soccer team. He visited the United States in 1977 as an 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 starred at Michigan State setting several records. He was named an All American in 1981. His success landed him the kicking job with the New Orleans Saints, who drafted him in the 4th round with the 86th overall pick.

NFL career

In New Orleans, Andersen had a rocky start. He sprained his ankle on his first ever kickoff and missed two months. He won back the job later in the season and stayed with the club until he was released after the 1994 season. During this time, he was named to six Pro Bowls, kicked 302 field goals, and scored 1318 points. In 1991, against Chicago, Andersen kicked a 60 yard field goal, third longest in league history after Tom Dempsey and Jason Elam, who each kicked a 63 yard field goal. His proficiency with field goal kicking earned him the nickname "Mr. Automatic." In the 1995 offseason, 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, he became the first player in League history to kick three field goals of over 50 yards in a single game, ironically against the Saints in Atlanta. He 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 cutdown and was subsequently signed by the Minnesota Vikings. Although his leg strength had declined greatly with age, he continued to prove himself accurate for field goals. He currently is a free agent, having not been signed by a team following the 2004 season.

Andersen announces NFL Europe games in the 2006 season. He's commented that the Atlanta Falcons are interested in signing him, thus continuing his goal to play through 2010.

Records to be Broken

Andersen has stated his goal is to be the first NFL player to play until he turns 50, breaking the record held by George Blanda. (To do this, he would have to play in the 2010 season.) Andersen has already broken another Blanda record; on September 26, 2004, he appeared in his 341st NFL game, surpassing Blanda's 340.

Since 1982, Andersen has been in a friendly battle with fellow kicker Gary Anderson as they ascended the career lists for field goals and points. Through the 2004 season, Andersen ranks second all time in field goals (520) and points (2358).

In 2006 he was inducted as the first Hall of Famer in the Danish American Football Federation Hall of Fame.

Records

- Most points ever in Pro Bowl history - 45 (15 points after touchdown, 10 field goals)
- Most points after touchdown ever in Pro Bowl history - 15
- Most field goal attempts ever in Pro Bowl history - 18
- Most field goals in Pro Bowl history - 10
- Most field goals (50 or more yards) in NFL history - 40
- Most field goals (50 or more yards) in a season - 8
- Most field goals (50 or more yards) in a game - 3
- Most games played in NFL history - 354