Jan Stenerud
- Kansas City Chiefs (1967-1979)
- Green Bay Packers (1980-1983)
- Minnesota Vikings (1984-1985)
- 2 × AFL All-Star (1967, 1968)
- 4 × Pro Bowl selection ( 1970, 1971, 1975, 1984)
- 10x All- AFL selection and All-Pro selection ( 1967-1971, 1974-1976, 1981, 1984 )
- Pro Bowl MVP (1972 )
- Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame (1992 )
- NFL 75th Anniversary All- Time Team
- Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame (1991 )
- Back number 3 blocked at the Chiefs
January Stenerud (* November 26, 1942 in Fetsund ) is a former Norwegian American football player. He is considered one of the best kickers in the history of the NFL and played for the Kansas City Chiefs.
College
Stenerud began his career for a football player completely unusual. Born and raised in Norway, he played there first football and ice hockey. He was an outstanding ski jumper, which he earned in 1963 a scholarship at Montana State University in Bozeman. After his entry into the United States, he visited his sister in Buffalo and saw his first football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. Stenerud was impressed, but did not think of actually playing football. Only the Baskelballtrainer his university made the football coach at Stenerud attention after he observed that this kicked a few balls between the goal posts on the football field. He had previously copied at the former kicker at the University of Technology, the win after an injury again tried connecting to the team and for whom he held the ball, so that he could kick the gaming device through the goal posts. Steneruds incomparable career began.
He played two years for the Montana Bobcats, the football team of the University and caused a sensation because he repeatedly scored from a long distance field goals. The longest field goal bridged the distance of 59 yards, which is still today a college record. The capabilities Steneruds the Bobcats were able to achieve field goals from distance that would normally have taken a punt required. Stenerud was also used in place of the Punters, as he could cover greater distances than this with his kicks. The Scouts of the professional leagues were quickly noticed him.
Professional time
1967 Draft Stenerud was chosen in 1967 by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the AFL. At this time, the NFL and the AFL still went their separate ways. After he had received from the Chiefs one hand money over $ 80,000, he flew back to Norway to show his parents what he will do from now on by watching the movies over the Bobcats.
Stenerud could his skills he had acquired in college, seamlessly take over in the professional business. In 1970 he moved with his Chiefs in Super Bowl IV. The team from Kansas City won with their quarterback Len Dawson under the coach Hank Stram against the Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton with her with 23:7. Stenerud scoring three field goals.
1980 left Stenerud the Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers joined them. The Chiefs thought he was too old. A mistake, as it turned out later. 1981 Stenerud could transform 35 of his 36 field goal attempts in the jersey of the Packers. This was then an NFL record dar. In 1984 Stenerud to the Vikings. There he finished in 1985 after 19 seasons of his career. Stenerud achieved during his career in the regular season 295 field goals and 458 points after touchdown, extra point after a touchdown.
Honors
Stenerud played in six Pro Bowls and 1972 Pro Bowl MVP. He is the first and so far only player, who competed only as a kicker and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 1991. He also belongs to the National Football League 75th Anniversary All- Time Team, the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame is located. Inside the stadium, the Chiefs will be reminded of him. The street of his home town where he grew up, was renamed after him.
After the career
Stenerud is co-owner of a company that plans to build sports venues and. He also commented Football Games for the Scandinavian TV. He lives in Kansas City. He still regularly visited Norway.