The list of placekickers enshrined in the Football Hall of Fame is short—very short. It contains one name: Jan Stenerud.
Stenerud played 19 seasons in the NFL for the Chiefs, Packers, and Vikings. His career stats look like this: 1,699 points on 580 PATs and 373 FGs. He racked up 100-plus points in seven different seasons.
The 1,699 points put him, at the time of his retirement, second on the all-time list behind George Blanda. He kicked 17 field goals of 50-plus yards in his career.
Stenerud's longest field goal was 55 yards. Probably the most astounding mark on his record is that he never had a field goal or extra point attempt blocked.
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This short list could, and should, add another name five years after Matt Stover decides to hang up his cleats.
Stover, the last of the original Cleveland Browns, is entering his 19th season.
Currently fourth on the all-time scoring list with 1,822 points, he trails only Morten Andersen, Gary Anderson, and George Blanda, and is five spots ahead of Stenerud.
He is fewer than 200 points behind Blanda, so it's conceivable he can be in the top-three of all-time once his career is finished.
Stover has made 435 field goals and 517 points after touchdowns. He has not missed an extra-point attempt since the 1992 season, when the Ravens were still the Browns.
His 83.8 field-goal percentage and 99.4 extra-point percentage rank among the best of all-time. Stover has made 13 field goals of 50-plus yards.
He has also only had eight field goals blocked in his 19-year career, with no more than two in any season.
He is closing in on 1,000 kickoffs, totaling almost 57,000 yards, with only 117 touchbacks and three returned for touchdowns. Stenerud never performed a kickoff in his career.
Matt Stover holds the record for most points scored with one franchise. He has won a Super Bowl, been a Pro Bowler, and has been a Pro-Bowl Alternate.
Morten Anderson has not yet been enshrined, so Stover may be the third placekicker to be in the Hall of Fame.
I don't want to see him go anywhere for a while, but when he does, I hope it's to Canton.
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2 months ago
This guy will end his career with the Ravens. He might not have the strongest leg in the league, but he sure is the most accurate. Especially last nights pre-season match up against Atlanta, as he racked up all 9 of the Ravens points with 3 field goals. His longest of the night 48 yards, which was right down the middle, with room to spare. The other two were from 25 and 31 yards. He is defiantly a Hall of Famer in my books. Go Ravens!!
from 2 months ago
Thanks Mike. Let's hope the writers or whoever votes agrees with us
2 months ago
Three words: single bar helmet
2 months ago
Good argument Chad. I don't consider kickers football players tho lol!
from 2 months ago
It's a team game...there are some quarterbacks I wouldn't call football players either.
2 months ago
I'm amazed that the Andersons aren't in yet.
There are many worthy kickers in history that were important to their team's success.
Stover is one of those.
from 2 months ago
I don't think Mort has been retired long enough.
from 2 months ago
morten was just playing last year and owns almost every record for a kicker, still wants to kick until he's 50. gary is eligible for first ballot coming up next year.
2 months ago
NO MORE KICKERS IN THE HALL UNTIL RAY GUY (punter) GETS IN! (except Morten Anderson)
from 2 months ago
agreed in theory...guy and the other great kickers too.
2 months ago
Great article Chad. Sure Stover deserves to be their in the Hall. But so does Ray Guy, Morten Anderson, Kevin Butler, Gary Anderson and sure missing a few.
from 2 months ago
I can't believe no punters...great call SM.
2 months ago
In 1982 Redskin Kicker Mark Moseley was the only kicker ever to win NFL Player of the Year...he should be in the Hall before these other guys.
from 2 months ago
OH! I was thinking Moseley while I was typing the above comment!
I'm wid you Dan 100%...although I hate the 'Skins in theory.
2 months ago
I think he and Jason Elam will be enshrined. They are/were both excellent kickers. Gary Anderson and Morten Andersen were also great kickers. Not only does Canton need more defensive players, Spec. Tms are important too.
2 months ago
NO.
2 months ago
if he plays long enuff, i think hez a hall of famer.
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