In 1982, when the Saints used their fourth round pick to take a Danish-born All-American from Michigan State, comparisons began almost immediately between Morten Andersen and the Texas kicker Russell Erxleben, who had been drafted in the first round 3 years earlier. When Andersen injured himself on his first ever kickoff, critics claimed another bust-kicker for the Saints.
In college he set a Big-10 record with 45 fieldgoals in a career and MSU records of 126 PATs and 261 points. He also hit a 63-yarder against Ohio State.
By his second season, all comparisons to Russell Erxleben were null and void.
After a 13 year career and 6 Pro Bowls with the Saints, he remains arguably the most successful kicker, if not player in New Orleans Saints History. Other than his injury, his rookie season was uneventful. But in 1983, he began to turn heads. His 41-yarder against Chicago gave the Saints their first ever overtime win. Against Philadelphia, he hit 2. One from 52 and the OT game winner in that one also from 50.
In 1985, he was named to the Pro Bowl after leading the NFC in scoring with 120 points. He was named to consecutive Pro Bowls in 1986, 1987 (led the NFL in Scoring-121 points), and 1988. He also made the Pro Bowl in 1990 and 1992.
In 1984 kicked the game winner against the Browns. In 1987 kicked the game winner against San Francisco. In 1988, on Monday night, hit a 49 yarder against Dallas to win on the last play of the game. In 1990, against the Rams, again on Monday night, hit a last second field goal that clinched the Saints their second wildcard berth. In 1991, he booted a 60 yarder against Chicago (second longest in NFL history). In 93, beat the 49ers with 5 seconds left (it was a 49 yarder), and in 1993, connected on a 40 yarder with 8 ticks on the clock to beat Atlanta. Also in 1993, add the third longest field goal in Saints history, 56 yards, against Philadelphia.
As if his time with New Orleans weren't enough, Morten proved he still had plenty of time left in him. Enough time to set the NFL records of most games played (354) and most consecutive games scoring (332).
As a Falcon, he made the Pro Bowl a 7th time (NFL record for a kicker) in 1995. Against our own Saints that year in December, he hit 3 fieldgoals over 50 yards in the game (also an NFL record). That year he hit a 59 yarder against San Francisco. He stayed in Atlanta until 2000, playing in Superbowl XXXIII (1999) kicking 2 fieldgoals and 1 xtra point. After Atlanta, he spent time with the Giants (2001), Kansas City (2002-2003) and Minnesota (2004).
Returning to the Falcons in 2006, he broke the All-Time Scoring record when he connected on the second of 4 extrapoints in a 28-38 loss to Dallas. He returned to Atlanta in 2007 and ended his 26th NFL season with 3 fieldgoals and 5 extra points against the Seattle Seahawks.
On November 6, 2009 he was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.
His off the field contributions include his "Kicks for Kids" program that raises money for Inner-city
hospitals and day cares. In 1990 was named "Outstanding Sports
Citizen of the Year" by the New Orleans Sports Foundation.
