Morten Andersen is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame
FLOWERY BRANCH – Former Falcons kicker Morten Andersen was among the 25 semifinalists being considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2016 in was announced on Thursday.
It will be Andersen’s third straight time being discussed in the meeting for potential enshrinement.
On Jan. 17, 1999, Andersen booted a 38-yard field goal to give the Falcons a 30-27 victory over Minnesota in the NFC championship game. The kick sent the franchise to its first, and only, trip to the Super Bowl.
Anderson, who made the Pro Bowl seven times, is the NFL’s all-time leading scoring with 2,544 points.
George Blanda, Lou “The Toe” Groza and Jan Stenerud are the only kickers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Andersen, a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, was drafted by the Saints in the fourth round of the 1982 draft. He played for the Saints (1982-94), Falcons (1995-2000, 2006-07), New York Giants (2001), Chiefs (2002-03) and Minnesota (2004).
Three first-year eligible nominees – Alan Faneca, Brett Favre and Terrell Owens – are among the 15 Modern-Era Finalists who will be considered for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when the Hall’s Selection Committee meets in San Francisco on the day before Super Bowl 50 to elect the Class of 2016. Joining the first-year eligible nominees are 10 other modern-era players and two coaches.
Favre was originally drafted by the Falcons, but struggled with off the field issues before being traded to the Green Bay Packers.
The 15 Modern-Era Finalists were determined by a vote of the Hall’s Selection Committee from a list of 108 nominees that earlier was reduced to 25 semifinalists, during the multi-step, year-long selection process. Former Falcons tackle Michael Kenn did not advance to this stage.
Kenn, 59, was drafted by the Falcons in the first round (13th overall) of the 1978 Draft. He spent all of his 17 NFL seasons with the Falcons and owns the franchise records for most games played and started (271).
Kenn was named to five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. The Falcons retired his No. 78 in 2008.
Also, running back Terrell Davis, who played at the University of Georgia, is a semifinalist. He played for the Broncos from 1995 to 2001.
The 2016 Modern-Era Finalists with their positions, years and teams:
- · Morten Andersen,Kicker –1982-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-2000, 2006-07 Atlanta Falcons, 2001 New York Giants, 2002-03 Kansas City Chiefs, 2004 Minnesota Vikings
- · Steve Atwater, Safety –1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets
- · Don Coryell,Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers
- · Terrell Davis,Running Back – 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
- · Tony Dungy,Coach – 1996-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2002-08 Indianapolis Colts
- · Alan Faneca,Guard – 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals
- · Brett Favre, Quarterback – 1991 Atlanta Falcons, 1992-2007 Green Bay Packers, 2008 New York Jets, 2009-2010 Minnesota Vikings
- · Kevin Greene, Linebacker/Defensive End – 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers
- · Marvin Harrison,Wide Receiver – 1996-2008 Indianapolis Colts
- · Joe Jacoby,Tackle – 1981-1993 Washington Redskins
- · Edgerrin James, Running Back – 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks
- · John Lynch,Free Safety –1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos
- · Terrell Owens, Wide Receiver –1996-2003 San Francisco 49ers, 2004-05 Philadelphia Eagles, 2006-08 Dallas Cowboys, 2009 Buffalo Bills, 2010 Cincinnati Bengals
- · Orlando Pace,Tackle – 1997-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Chicago Bears
- · Kurt Warner,Quarterback – 1998-2003 St. Louis Rams, 2004 New York Giants, 2005-09 Arizona Cardinals
The 15 Modern-Era Finalists join three other finalists to comprise 18 finalists under consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016.
Two Senior Finalists were announced in August 2015 by the Seniors Committee that reviews the qualifications of those players whose careers ended more than 25 years ago.
- · Ken Stabler, Quarterback – 1970-1979 Oakland Raiders, 1980-1981 Houston Oilers, 1982-1984 New Orleans Saints
- · Dick Stanfel, Guard – 1952-55 Detroit Lions, 1956-58 Washington Redskins
A Contributor Finalist announced in September was selected by the Hall of Fame's Contributor Committee that considers persons who made outstanding contributions to professional football other than players and coaches.
- · Edward DeBartolo, Jr.,Owner – 1977-2000 San Francisco 49ers
To be elected, a finalist must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent during annual selection meeting.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
