Morten Andersen
The clutch kicker who delivered Atlanta's first Super Bowl appearance and broke scoring records across two decades.
Morten Andersen, nicknamed 'the Great Dane,' is a Danish-American former professional football kicker who played 25 seasons in the NFL. While he is most famously associated with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, his tenure with Atlanta specifically spanned two distinct eras: 1995–2000 and 2006–2007. During his first stint, he silenced doubts about his career after leaving New Orleans for salary cap reasons, proving his durability and accuracy once again. He became the first player in NFL history to kick three field goals over 50 yards in a single game against his former team. His return in 2006 helped stabilize a struggling special teams unit, leading to NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors as the oldest recipient since the award's inception.
- Role
- Placekicker
- Nationality
- Danish-American
- Tenure at Falcons
- 1995–2000, 2006–2007
- Status
- Retired (Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017)
- Key Achievement
- Second all-time in NFL field goals (565) and points scored (2,544)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Andersen's time in Atlanta was defined by resilience and historic milestones. After being released by the Saints, he joined the Falcons in 1995 and immediately proved his worth, becoming the first player to kick three field goals of over 50 yards in a single game against New Orleans in December 1995. His most pivotal moment came during Week 17 of the 1996 season when he missed a 30-yard field goal that cost Atlanta the playoffs; however, redemption arrived two years later. In the 1998 NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings, Andersen kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime to send the Falcons to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, Super Bowl XXXIII, where they fell to the Denver Broncos. His return in January 2006 saw him replace Michael Koenen as the primary kicker, scoring the only points for Atlanta in his first game back against the Saints in the post-Katrina Superdome.
In Their Own Story
On 30 December 2007, at age 47 years and 133 days, Andersen etched his name into the record books as the oldest player to score 14 points in a single game against the Seattle Seahawks. Just weeks prior, on 30 September 2007, he became the oldest player to kick five field goals in a game against the Houston Texans at age 46 years and 43 days. During his final season with Atlanta, he made 25 of 28 field goals for an 89.3% success rate, marking the most accurate season of his career. His tenure concluded after the 2007 campaign; although he hoped to play until age 50 in 2010, he officially retired on 8 December 2008, just two days shy of breaking George Blanda's longevity record.
Reader's Guide
Andersen played for the Atlanta Falcons during two separate periods: 1995–2000 and 2006–2007. His first run included a Super Bowl XXXIII appearance and the historic three 50-yard-plus field goal game in 1995. In his second run, he provided stability for Michael Koenen's replacement duties and set multiple age-related records in 2007. Fans should note that while he is the Saints' all-time leading scorer with 1,318 points, his Falcons legacy is anchored by the 1998 NFC Championship victory and his record-breaking longevity. He ranks second in NFL history for field goals (565) and points scored (2,544), holding records for most games played (382) and consecutive games played by a placekicker (248).
Did You Know?
- Andersen was the first player in NFL history to kick three field goals of over 50 yards in a single game, achieving this against the Saints in December 1995.
- He holds the record for most consecutive games played by a placekicker with 248 games.
- Andersen became the oldest player to earn NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors when he received the award in his second game back with Atlanta in 2006.
- His nickname, 'the Great Dane,' references his birthplace in Copenhagen and his dominant kicking leg strength.
- Along with Jan Stenerud and Adam Vinatieri, Andersen is one of only three kickers ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Morten Andersen?
Morten Andersen was a Danish-American placekicker who became one of the most iconic figures in Atlanta Falcons history. He wore jersey number 3 and served as the team's primary kicker for over a decade, earning the nickname 'The Danish Dynamo'.
What were his key achievements with the Falcons?
During his tenure from 1982 to 1997 and briefly in 2004, he established himself as the NFC's all-time leading scorer at the time of his retirement. His consistency made him synonymous with clutch performances that secured victories in close contests for the franchise.
How long did Morten Andersen play for Atlanta?
Andersen spent the majority of his career with the Falcons from 1982 through 1997 before returning briefly to the team in 2004. This extensive tenure defined an era where the organization relied heavily on his kicking ability.
Why is he considered a legend for the Falcons?
He is revered as the face of consistency who launched the team to glory during its formative decades with remarkable reliability. His legacy remains honored by the franchise as one of its greatest contributors to their historical success.
What happened after his playing career ended?
Morten Andersen officially retired from professional football and was subsequently honored by the Falcons for his exceptional service. He left behind a record-breaking legacy that continues to define the position of placekicker for the team.
More in Legendary Players & Coaches
Related in Atlanta Falcons
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the Atlanta Falcons universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record