Morten Andersen
The Danish kicker who became the Saints' all-time leading scorer and a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Morten Andersen, nicknamed 'the Great Dane', is a Danish-American former professional football kicker who played in the NFL for 25 seasons, most notably with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. Born in Copenhagen and raised in Struer, Denmark, he joined the Saints in 1982 after being selected in the fourth round (82nd overall) of the draft. He is the Saints' all-time leading scorer with 1,318 points and kicked 302 field goals for the team during his initial tenure from 1982 to 1994.
- NFL Regular Season Games Played
- 382
- Career Field Goals Made
- 565
- Career Points Scored
- 2,544
- Saints Career Points
- 1,318
- Saints Field Goals Made
- 302
- Pro Bowls with Saints
- 6
- Longest Field Goal with Saints
- 60 yards
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Andersen was selected by the Saints in the fourth round of the 1982 NFL draft. His career with New Orleans began with an injury on his first kickoff, yet he soon emerged as one of the league's most reliable kickers, earning six Pro Bowl selections. In 1991, he kicked a 60-yard field goal against Chicago, which at the time tied the second-longest in history. He was released after the 1994 season for salary cap reasons and declining accuracy. Years later, he returned to the NFL in 2006 with Atlanta but made headlines by kicking his first field goal back against his former team, the Saints, in the Louisiana Superdome's return game following Hurricane Katrina.
In Their Own Story
On December 16, 2006, Andersen passed Gary Anderson to become the all-time leading scorer in NFL history. Just days later, on December 24, he again surpassed Anderson to take the record for career field goals made. In September 2007, he signed with Atlanta and finished the regular season making 25 of 28 field goals (89.3%), marking his most accurate season ever. He retired in December 2008 just two days before what would have been his 48th birthday, missing out on becoming the oldest player to appear in an NFL game by a narrow margin.
Reader's Guide
Morten Andersen played for the Saints from 1982 to 1994. He was named to six Pro Bowls during this period and scored 1,318 points for the franchise. In 2006, he returned to play with the Falcons but faced his old team in a significant comeback game at the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. His career spanned from 1982 to 2007, holding the NFL record for most regular-season games played (382) and ranking second all-time in field goals (565) and points (2,544). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 as one of only three exclusive kickers to receive the honor.
Did You Know?
- Andersen was a gymnast and long jumper in Denmark and nearly made the Danish junior national soccer team before discovering American football at age 17.
- He kicked an impressive field goal on his whim as a high school freshman in Indianapolis, earning him a scholarship to Michigan State University.
- In December 1995, Andersen became the first player in NFL history to kick three field goals of over 50 yards in a single game against the Saints.
- He shares numerous career similarities with Gary Anderson, including nearly identical last names, birth years outside the US, and being drafted in the same year (1982).
- Andersen announced he would play NFL Europe games in 2005 but did not play any professional football that season after going unsigned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Morten Andersen?
He is a Danish-American NFL kicker known as "the Great Dane" who spent the majority of his historic career with the New Orleans Saints. Drafted in 1982, he became the franchise's all-time leading scorer before eventually being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
What is Morten Andersen's role and legacy with the Saints?
As a placekicker, Andersen holds the team record for most points scored with 1,318 and made 302 field goals during his first tenure from 1982 to 1994. His consistency earned him six Pro Bowl selections while wearing the Saints uniform.
How long did Morten Andersen play in the NFL?
He holds the record for the longest career of any player in league history, spanning an incredible 25 seasons across multiple teams. During this time, he played in 382 regular-season games and accumulated over 2,500 total points.
Why is Morten Andersen considered a Saints legend?
His precision kicking helped define the franchise's offense for over a decade, securing his status as the team's all-time leading scorer with 1,318 points. Fans revere him for his durability and clutch performances during critical moments of games.
Where was Morten Andersen from before joining the Saints?
He hails from Copenhagen and Struer in Denmark before becoming a naturalized American citizen to play professional football. The Saints selected him with the 82nd overall pick in the fourth round of the 1982 NFL Draft.
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