Morten Andersen
In 1982, when the Saints used their fourth round pick to take
a Danish-born All-American from Michigan State, comparisons began
almost immediately between Morten Andersen and
the Texas kicker Russell Erxleben, who had been drafted in the
first round 3 years earlier. When Andersen injured himself on his
first ever kickoff, critics claimed another bust-kicker for the
Saints.
In college he set a Big-10 record with 45 fieldgoals in a career
and MSU records of 126 PATs and 261 points. He also hit a
63-yarder against Ohio State.
By his second season, all comparisons to Russell Erxleben were
null and void.
After a 13 year career and 6 Pro Bowls with the Saints, he
remains arguably the most successful kicker, if not player in New
Orleans Saints History. Other than his injury, his rookie season
was uneventful. But in 1983, he began to turn heads. His
41-yarder against Chicago gave the Saints their first ever
overtime win. Against Philadelphia, he hit 2. One from 52 and the
OT game winner in that one also from 50.
In 1985, he was named to the Pro Bowl after leading the NFC in
scoring with 120 points. He was named to consecutive Pro Bowls in
1986, 1987 (led the NFL in Scoring-121 points), and 1988. He also
made the Pro Bowl in 1990 and 1992.
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In 1984 kicked the game winner against the Browns. In 1987
kicked the game winner against San Francisco. In 1988, on Monday
night, hit a 49 yarder against Dallas to win on the last play of
the game. In 1990, against the Rams, again on Monday night, hit a
last second field goal that clinched the Saints their second
wildcard berth. In 1991, he booted a 60 yarder against Chicago
(second longest in NFL history). In 93, beat the 49ers with 5
seconds left (it was a 49 yarder), and in 1993, connected on a 40
yarder with 8 ticks on the clock to beat Atlanta. Also in 1993,
add the third longest field goal in Saints history, 56 yards,
against Philadelphia.
As if his time with New Orleans weren't enough, Morten proved he
still had some time left in him. Enough time to set the NFL
records of most games played (354) and most consecutive games
scoring (332).
As a Falcon, he made the Pro Bowl a 7th time (NFL record for a
kicker) in 1995. Against our own Saints that year in December, he
hit 3 fieldgoals over 50 yards in the game (also an NFL record).
That year he hit a 59 yarder against San Francisco. He stayed in
Atlanta until 2000. After which he spent time with the Giants
(2001), Kansas City (2002-2003) and Minnesota (2004).
At the time I'm writing this, Morten Andersen is playing once
again with the Atlanta Falcons. On December 16, 2006, He broke
the All-Time Scoring record when he connected on the second of 4
extrapoints in a 28-38 loss to Dallas. He now wants to play in
the NFL until he's 50, surpassing George Blanda, who retired when
he was 48. Away from the playing field he is very active with
his "Kicks for Kids" program that raises money for Inner-city
hospitals and day cares. In 1990 was named "Outstanding Sports
Citizen of the Year" by the New Orleans Sports Foundation.
