Spartan Profiles: Morten Andersen

NOT JUST FOR KICKS

           Over the past 17 seasons, no kicker in the National Football League has enjoyed more consistent success than Morten Andersen, '83, of the Atlanta Falcons. Andersen's 38-yard overtime field goal against Minnesota gave the Falcons its first NFC championship. Although Morten exulted afterwards, 'It's unbelievable,' it wasn't. No kicker performs better in the clutch. His latest winning kick caps a brilliant 17-year career during which Morten set six NFL records--most 100-point seasons (11), most 50-yard field goals in a career (33), season (8) and game (3), scoring in most consecutive games (222), and most pro bowl appearances by a kicker (7). Last year, the 'Great Dane' became only the fifth player in NFL history to surpass 1,600 points.

            Spartan fans knew Morten's ability long before NFL fans in Atlanta and New Orleans, where he spent most of his career. A native of Copenhagen, Denmark, Morten emerged as a first-team All-American at MSU. He still holds the MSU record for longest field goal (63 yards) and for most PATs in a season (52).

             Beyond football, Morten lives life to the fullest and embraces a tremendous number of charitable causes. He has produced a record ('Take It To The Top'), guest conducted Mozart with the New Orleans symphony orchestra, and at one point was averaging 30 black-tie fund-raisers a year. In recent years, he has covered the SuperBowl for European broadcast stations (this year, he was on the field and two field goals in Atlanta's loss).

            What's his secret of success? According to Falcon coach Dan Reeves, its a practice regimen that simulates pressure: 'He doesn't just line up and kick it. He always wants a specific situation.' When he kicks in practice, his teammates yell 'Miss!' But, as a teammate notes, 'He ain't never missed one.'