By Darin 
Born November 26, 1942, in Fetsund, Norway, Jan Stenerud forged a unique and legendary 19-season career that redefined the role of the placekicker in professional football. Arriving in the United States on a ski jumping scholarship, his powerful leg and accuracy helped usher in the era of the “soccer-style” kicker.
- Stenerud was the first player who was primarily a placekicker to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
College Career
Stenerud attended Montana State University (1964–1966), initially on a skiing scholarship, where he earned All-America honors in ski jumping. His transition to football was accidental, after a coach spotted him kicking a ball. He quickly became a standout, setting an NCAA record in 1965 with a 59-yard field goal in the rivalry game against Montana. In his senior year (1966), he was a consensus All-America selection and led the Montana State Bobcats to the Big Sky Conference title.
Road to the Pro Game
Despite being drafted by both the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, Stenerud chose the Chiefs, joining them in 1967. He was instrumental in introducing and legitimizing the soccer-style kicking technique in the AFL and NFL. He spent 13 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (1967–1979), followed by four seasons with the Green Bay Packers (1980–1983), and finished his career with two seasons for the Minnesota Vikings (1984–1985), playing 263 total regular season games.
Football Legacy
Stenerud’s legacy rests on his transformative impact on the kicking position. He retired as the all-time leader in career field goals (373) and second in points scored (1,699). A clutch performer, he kicked three field goals, including a then-Super Bowl record 48-yarder, to help the Chiefs defeat the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. His consistency and powerful leg influenced rule changes and established the model for the modern specialist.
Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats
- College: All-America Selection (1966), All-America Ski Jumper (1964).
- Professional: Pro Football Hall of Fame (1991), Super Bowl Champion (IV), AFL Champion (1969), 6x All-Pro selection (First or Second-team), 6x All-Star selection (4x Pro Bowl, 2x AFL All-Star), NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
- Career Stats (Pro): 263 Games Played, 373 Field Goals Made (558 attempted, 66.8%), 580 Extra Points Made (601 attempted, 96.5%), 1,699 Career Points.
Big thanks to Pro-Football-Reference.com