25 Facts About Morten Andersen

Morten Andersen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

Morten Andersen was born in Copenhagen and raised in the west Jutland town of Struer.

Morten Andersen visited the United States in 1977 as a Youth For Understanding exchange student.

Morten Andersen first kicked an American football on a whim at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis.

Morten Andersen was so impressive in his one season of high school football that he was given a scholarship to Michigan State University.

Morten Andersen's success landed him the kicking job with the New Orleans Saints.

In 1991, against Chicago, Morten 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 63-yard record-holder kicked by Tom Dempsey.

Morten Andersen's kick has since been matched by Rob Bironas, Dan Carpenter and Greg Zuerlein, and surpassed by Sebastian Janikowski, Jason Elam, Justin Tucker, Jay Feely, Matt Bryant, David Akers, Matt Prater, Jake Elliott, Graham Gano, Brett Maher and Stephen Gostkowski.

Morten Andersen silenced those who felt him to be washed up and was named a Pro Bowler during his time in Atlanta.

In Week 17 of the 1996 season, Morten Andersen missed a 30-yard field goal that enabled the Jacksonville Jaguars to make the playoffs.

Anderson and Morten Andersen have nearly identical last names, were born within a year of one another outside the United States, 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.

Also, Anderson missed a field goal in the 1998 NFC Championship Game for the Minnesota Vikings before Morten Andersen kicked his winning kick, both from the same distance as well.

Morten Andersen went on to play with the New York Giants for the 2001 season, followed by the Kansas City Chiefs the following two seasons.

Morten Andersen was released by the Chiefs for the final roster cut, and was signed by the Vikings.

Morten Andersen announced NFL Europe games in the 2005 season.

In January 2006, Morten Andersen was inducted as the first member of the Danish American Football Federation Hall of Fame.

Morten Andersen scored the only Falcon points with a 26-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Morten Andersen 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.

Morten Andersen is the team record holder in points for the New Orleans Saints.

On 16 December 2006, Morten Andersen passed Gary Anderson to become the all-time leading scorer in NFL history.

On 6 November 2009, Morten Andersen was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.

On 25 June 2011, Morten Andersen was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

On 10 August 2013, Morten Andersen was inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame.

On 4 February 2017, it was announced that Morten Andersen would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Morten Andersen had stated that his goal was to be the first NFL player to play until he turned 50 in 2010.