Former Falcons kicker Andersen retires

Atlanta Falcons

Career highlights in photos of Former Atlanta Falcons kicker Morten Andersen, the NFL's career-leading scorer, who is retiring on Monday Dec. 8, 2008. The 48-year-old Dane scored 2,437 points during his 25-year career and played for the Atlanta Falcons the past two seasons. Andersen is perhaps best known for his game-winning 38- yard field goal to beat the Minnesota Vikings 30-27 in overtime for the NFC championship and a trip to the Super Bowl.

Mort Andersen watches the activity at Flowery Branch as he begins his third tour of duty with the Falcons in Sept. 2007. The NFL's career-leading scorer is retiring on Dec. 8, 2008 after the 48-year-old Dane scored 2,437 points during his 25-year career. Here is a look at Andersen's NFL career.

One of the Falcons highlights was making it to Miami for Super Bowl XXXIII against Denver in Jan., 1999. Andersen kicks a field goal for the first score of the game but the team lost, 34-19.

Andersen and teammate Dan Stryzinski (4) celebrate Andersen's 1999 game-winning 38-yard field goal to beat the Minnesota Vikings 30-27 in overtime for the NFC championship at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The kick propelled the Falcons to the Super Bowl.

Wearing his NFC Championship cap, Andersen yells for joy again after his game-winning field goal beat the Vikings in 1999.

Andersen, at age 46 in this 2007 photo, shows why the veteran NFL kicker and Buford resident set so many records during his long career. Keith Elmore supervises Andersen's spring conditioning exercises with a rubber resistance band in May, 2007.

Andersen gets in his kicks during a Sept. 2007 practice at the Falcons Flowery Branch facility.

Andersen, a popular player both on and off the field, jokes about his age with the Atlanta media in 2007.

During an otherwise gloomy 2007 season, Falcons linebacker Michael Boley celebrates a go-ahead field goal with Andersen on the way to defeating the Panthers in Charlotte.

In 2007, Andersen, who made 3 field goals for 9-points during the game, is frustrated on the sidelines in the final minutes of a 22-16 loss to the Saints in New Orleans. The Falcons 4-12 2007 season was marred by off the field controversy surrounding quarterback Mike Vick and the sudden departure of coach Bobby Petrino.

One of the bright spots in 2007's Monday Night Football game against the Giants was this 47-yarder by Andersen. The Falcons lost this one, 31-10.

Another game-winner. During his 2006 comeback, this time Andersen celebrates his game-winning field goal in overtime against the Steelers and safety Ryan Clark in Oct. 2006. The Falcons won 41-38.

In 2004 Andersen talks on a cell phone at summer camp practice for the Kansas City Chiefs in River Falls, Wis. Andersen spent two years with the Chiefs and went to Minnesota for a year before returning to Atlanta for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. He played for the Falcons from 1995 through 2000 and before that Andersen kicked for New Orleans.

In 1995 Anderson kicked 4 field goals 50 yards or over. Always an enthusiastic player, Andersen gives teammate Elbert Shelley a high-five after Shelley made a big hit during that game.

Andersen raises his arms high to the Superdome crowd in New Orleans on Atlanta's 27-24 overtime victory with his kick against Andersen's former team in Sept 1995. He scored 122 total points during the year. Andersen kicked for the Saints for 13 years before coming to Atlanta.

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Mort Andersen watches the activity at Flowery Branch as he begins his third tour of duty with the Falcons in Sept. 2007. The NFL's career-leading scorer is retiring on Dec. 8, 2008 after the 48-year-old Dane scored 2,437 points during his 25-year career. Here is a look at Andersen's NFL career.

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