Former Saints K Morten Anderson A Finalist For Hall Of Fame

NFL all-time leading scorer and long time New Orleans Saint kicker Morten Andersen is one of fifteen finalists for the 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Andersen is in his fourth year of eligibility for the HOF.

It marks the third consecutive year he's been named one of the 15 finalist, but has yet to make the cut down to ten.

Seven new Hall of Fame inductees will be announced on February 6th.

“It’s special every year,” Andersen said to ESPN's Mike Triplett. “When you’re considered among the 15 finalists, it is unique, and you have to recognize that. I don’t take it for granted. So every year for me, it’s a gift. I’m joyful and thrilled that people think enough of me and what I did to consider me in that very elite company. And we’ll see how it goes.”

Anderson played 25 years in the NFL. Nicknamed the “The Great Dane”, Andersen was a Denmark native and standout soccer star in high school.

He attended Michigan State on a football scholarship, earning All-American honors before being drafted in the 4th round of the ’82 draft by the Saints.
In thirteen seasons with New Orleans, he was a six-time Pro Bowler, kicked 302 field goals, and scored 1318 points, the franchise record.

In 1995, he signed with the rival Atlanta Falcons, earning All-Pro honors in his first season, on his way to setting the Falcons all-time scoring mark (806 points).

Andersen also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings.

Upon his retirement in 2008, Andersen left the NFL as the all-time scoring leader (2,544 points) and most games played at 382. Both marks still stand today.

He was inducted into the Saints Ring of Honor earlier this year.