Gary Anderson (placekicker)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (1982-1994)
- Philadelphia Eagles (1995, 1996)
- San Francisco 49ers (1997)
- Minnesota Vikings (1998-2002)
- Tennessee Titans (2003, 2004)
- 4 × Pro Bowl (1983, 1985, 1993, 1998 )
- 3 × All-Pro (1983, 1985, 1998) 1 2 team
- NFL 1990s All- Decade Team
- NFL 1980s All- Decade Team
Gary Allan Anderson (* July 16, 1959 in Parys, Free State, South Africa ) is a former South African American football player at the position of the kicker. He played for five teams in the National Football League ( NFL), including 13 years for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Youth
Anderson grew up in Durban. His father, a former professional soccer player, came from Ireland and was a Protestant minister in South Africa. His mother came from South Africa. Anderson emigrated with his parents to the United States. This would thus demonstrate against the existing apartheid.
College
First, Anderson hoped for a football career in Europe than him but the football coach of his high school watching the train, he was convinced that it could be enough for Anderson to a football career. He got him in 1978 for a trial before various college scouts. Anderson won and got a scholarship from Syracuse University offered. This was contrary to Anderson, because he hoped in Syracuse also be able to play football, which was also promised him by the university management. Until 1981, he played so convincingly college football for the Syracuse Orange, that he was in 1981 elected to the selection of the best American college players. Among other things, he scored 18 field goals in a season college record. Overall, Anderson scored 198 points during his college career.
Professional time
Anderson was selected in 1982 as 171 players from the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. For the Bills, he never played a game and was released again shortly after his election. The Pittsburgh Steelers saw the talent of Anderson and committed him. After twelve seasons with the Steelers, he spent two years on the Philadelphia Eagles and then for one year at the San Francisco 49ers to hire.
The jersey of the Minnesota Vikings, he had then in 1998 his most successful season in person. He turned all of his 35 field goals and all of his 59 points after touchdown during the regular season. He was the first kicker in NFL history to this perfect season succeeded. 2003 Anderson began the season with the Vikings, but then switched to the Tennessee Titans, as their kicker Joe Nedney was injured and had to be replaced. In 2004 he was again persuaded by the Titans and replaced the injured Nedney again. After he finished his final career.
Anderson played in 23 seasons in the NFL 353 times, scoring 2434 points. That was then NFL - record and Anderson is thus still at the second place of the all-time best list of NFL behind Morten Andersen.
Honors
Anderson played four times in the Pro Bowl and is a member of the National Football League 1990s All- Decade Team and the National Football League 1980s All- Decade Team.
After the career
Anderson lives in Canmore, Canada, where it has a company for fishing equipment.