Jason Hanson

Last updated

Jason Hanson
Detroit Lions placekicker Jason Hanson at the 2012 Lions training camp.jpg
Hanson at the 2012 Lions training camp
No. 4
Position: Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1970-06-17) June 17, 1970 (age 54)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: Mead (Spokane, Washington)
College: Washington State (1988–1991)
NFL draft: 1992  / Round: 2 / Pick: 56
Career history
Career highlights and awards
NFL records
  • Most seasons played with one team: 21 (Detroit Lions)
  • Most games played with one team: 327 (Detroit Lions)
Career NFL statistics
Field goals made:495
Field goals attempted:601
Field goal %:82.4
Longest field goal:56
Points scored:2,150
Player stats at PFR

Jason Hanson (born June 17, 1970) is an American former professional football placekicker who spent his entire 21-year career with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football with the Washington State Cougars, he was selected by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL draft with the 56th overall pick. Hanson holds the NFL record for the most seasons played with one team and also holds multiple kicking and scoring records. Due to his longevity and statistical success, even on many non-playoff teams, Hanson is often cited as one of the most-loved players in Detroit Lions franchise history. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

High school career

Born in Spokane, Washington, Hanson graduated from Mead High School in 1988, where he lettered in football, basketball, and soccer. As a senior, Hanson won All-Greater Spokane League honors as both a kicker and punter and was named a first-team All-State honoree by the Washington Sportswriters Association. In the classroom at Mead, he maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average. [4]

College career

Hanson attended Washington State University in Pullman, where he walked-on as a freshman in 1988 and made an immediate impact with the Cougars; [5] [6] he was named to The Sporting News Freshman All-American team. [7] Hanson set or tied many NCAA records, and his percentage of 57.1 for field goals from 50 yards or greater remains a Pac-12 Conference record. He holds the record for most field goals from 50 yards or more (20), and 40 yards or more (39). Hanson's school records include most points scored (328), longest field goal (62 yards), most games with two or more field goals (20), field goals (63), and PATs (139). He was also the punter at WSU during his final two seasons, and was a teammate of quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who arrived in 1990. [8] Hanson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from WSU in pre-med studies, [9] with 3.78 grade point average. [10] Hanson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020. [11]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight
5 ft 11+3⁄4 in
(1.82 m)		183 lb
(83 kg)
All values from NFL Combine [12]

Hanson was selected in the second round of the 1992 NFL draft by the Lions, the 56th overall pick. [13] He retired from the Lions in 2013; no NFL player played as many games (327) with the same team as Hanson, breaking the old record of 296 held by Bruce Matthews in Week 2 of the 2011 season vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. At the beginning of the 2012 season, he set the record for most years with the same club with 21 seasons. [14]

On December 14, 2008, against the Indianapolis Colts, Hanson passed Morten Andersen for most 50+ yard field goals in NFL history. Hanson again had a good year, ending the 2008 NFL season 21-for-22 on field goal attempts (including 8 for 8 from 50+ yards) and 25-for-26 on extra point attempts. Statistically, this was the second best season of Hanson's career with respect to field goal attempts; he missed only one. After the late 2010 NFL season, Hanson had missed only eight extra points in his career, five of which were blocked.

On December 2, 2010, the Lions placed him on injured reserve due to an injured right knee. [15]

Hanson was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September 2011 after kicking a perfect 8 of 8 field goals. It was his fifth-career Special Teams Player of the Month award and his first since November 2003.

Hanson is the team's all-time leader in scoring, with 2,150 points, and in field goals with 495, and holds a variety of other team records for kicking and scoring. He represented the NFC in the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 1999, and was an alternate in 1997 and 2008. He has booted 17 game-winning field goals in his career; eight in regulation and nine in overtime.

On April 4, 2013, Hanson announced his retirement. [16] At the time of his retirement, he was the oldest active player in the NFL, the last player to have played for the same team he played for prior to the advent of free agency, and the last active player to play at Milwaukee County Stadium.

Hanson was named the 2002 recipient of the Detroit Lions/Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association/Pro Football Writers Association's (PFWA) Media-Friendly "Good Guy" Award. The Good Guy Award is given yearly to the Detroit Lions player who shows consideration to, and cooperation with the media at all times during the course of the season. Hanson was also named Offensive Rookie Of The Year by the PFWA in 1992. As of 2022, he remains the only NFL kicker ever awarded that distinction. [17] [18]

The Detroit Lions inducted him into the Ring of Honor in fall 2013 at Ford Field for his success and dedication to Detroit Lions football. [19]

Career regular season statistics

Career high/best bolded

Career awards and honors

College awards

NFL awards

NFL records

Detroit Lions franchise records

Other

Personal life

Hanson and his wife, Kathleen, were married in 1992 and have three children. His younger brother Travis was a kicker for the rival University of Washington Huskies, and was a member of the 1991 national championship team. [36] Hanson is a Christian. [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Sanders</span> American football player (born 1968)

Barry Sanders is an American former football running back who played for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. Sanders led the league in rushing yards four times and in rushing touchdowns once, establishing himself as one of the most elusive runners in the history of the NFL with his quickness and agility, despite being only 5 ft 8 in tall and weighing 203 lbs. Sanders played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. As a junior in 1988, he compiled what is widely considered the greatest individual season by a running back in college football history, rushing for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in 11 games. He won the Heisman Trophy and was unanimously recognized as an All-American.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Dempsey</span> American football player (1947–2020)

Thomas John Dempsey was an American professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills. Unlike the "soccer style" approach which was becoming more and more widely used during his career, Dempsey's kicking style was the then-standard straight-toe style. With the Saints in 1970, he made a 63-yard field goal, setting an NFL record which stood for over 40 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darrell Green</span> American football player (born 1960)

Darrell Ray Green is an American former professional football cornerback who played 20 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Washington Redskins. He is considered to be one of the greatest cornerbacks to have ever played in the NFL, Green was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Akers</span> American football player (born 1974)

David Roy Akers is an American former football kicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. He began his career in 1998 with the Washington Redskins, after not making the main roster of the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. The following year, he signed with the Eagles, where he spent 12 seasons. Akers was also a member of the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions before retiring in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Gramatica</span> Argentine-born gridiron football player (born 1975)

Martin Gramatica is an Argentine-born former American football kicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Indianapolis Colts, the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats where he won the Lou Groza Award and was recognized twice as an All-American. He was selected by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Kramer</span> American football player (born 1936)

Gerald Louis Kramer is an American former professional football player, author and sports commentator. He played 11 years as a guard and kicker with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Owens (American football)</span> American football player and administrator (born 1947)

Loren Everett "Steve" Owens is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons with the Detroit Lions. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he won the 1969 Heisman Trophy and was named to the All-American team. He was selected in the first round of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Lions, and became the first Lion to rush for over a 1,000 yards in a season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garo Yepremian</span> Armenian-Cypriot American football player (1944–2015)

Garabed Sarkis "Garo" Yepremian was an Armenian-Cypriot football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the Miami Dolphins. During his nine seasons with the Dolphins, Yepremian led the league in scoring in 1971, received two Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro honors, and helped the Dolphins win two Super Bowl titles. Yepremian's first championship victory in Super Bowl VII occurred as a member of the 1972 Dolphins, the only team to complete a perfect season in NFL history. He also played for the Detroit Lions, the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring in 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Rayner</span> American football player (born 1982)

Dave Rayner is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He played college football at Michigan State.

Wayne Harrison Walker was an American professional football player and sports broadcaster. He played 15 seasons with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL), as a linebacker and placekicker. Walker played in 200 regular season games, the second most for a defensive player at the time. He played in three Pro Bowls and was once selected as a first-team All-NFL player. After the 1972 season, he retired as a player and was a sports broadcaster for CBS and the sports director for KPIX-TV in San Francisco from 1974 to 1994. Walker was a weekend sportscaster during the off-season during his later years as a Detroit Lion.

Edward Peter Murray is a Canadian former professional football player who was a kicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins. He played college football at Tulane University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Detroit Lions season</span> NFL team season

The 2006 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 77th season in the National Football League (NFL). The season began with the team trying to improve on their 5–11 record in 2005; however, they regressed and finished with a 3–13 record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Detroit Lions season</span> NFL team season

The 2007 Detroit Lions season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL). After achieving a 6–2 record at the halfway mark, the Lions lost seven of their last eight games. They finished with a 7–9 record for their seventh consecutive losing season. After the 6–2 start, the Lions would go 5–47 in their next 52 games, including a 19-game losing streak between Week 17 of 2007 and Week 2 of 2009, which resulted in the first-ever winless 16-game season in 2008. The Lions improved upon their 3–13 record in 2006 but failed to make the playoffs once again, extending their postseason drought to eight years. The 7–9 record was nonetheless the best record the Lions had in any season under general manager Matt Millen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Martin (American football)</span> American football player (1924–2002)

James Richard "Jungle Jim" Martin was an American football guard, linebacker and placekicker who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League (NFL) in the 1950s and 1960s, mainly for the Detroit Lions. He was selected to the Pro Bowl, the NFL's all-star game, after the 1961 season, and went on to be an assistant coach after his playing career. He was an All-American at the University of Notre Dame and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Detroit Lions season</span> NFL team season

The 2008 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 79th season in the National Football League (NFL), and their 75th as the Detroit Lions. The Lions made history by becoming the first team since the schedule was expanded to 16 games to finish winless. It is one of only four winless seasons since the merger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Hauschka</span> American football player (born 1985)

Stephen Theodore Hauschka is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Middlebury College and North Carolina State.

The 2009 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 80th season overall in the National Football League (NFL). It was the first season with the Lions for new head coach Jim Schwartz, and most of his new coaching staff. The Lions also introduced slightly new uniforms and logos. The Lions improved upon their 0–16 record from the previous season. However, they missed the playoffs for the 10th straight season, which meant the Lions were one of two franchises, not including the Houston Texans, to not qualify for the playoffs in the 2000s, with the other team being the Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blair Walsh</span> American football player (born 1990)

Blair Richard Walsh is an American former football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. Walsh played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft.

Jason Thomas Sanders is an American football kicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at New Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Seibert</span> American football player (born 1996)

Austin Seibert is an American football placekicker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma and was selected in fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.

References

  1. ↑ "Detroit Lions: 30 greatest players in franchise history". October 23, 2018. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Who is the Second-Most Beloved Detroit Lion of All Time?". June 7, 2019. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  3. ↑ "POLL: Which former Lion most deserves Hall of Fame induction?". August 6, 2017. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  4. ↑ Taylor, Kevin (June 1, 1988). "Lemery, Hanson are top scholar-athletes". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. D3. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  5. ↑ Bergum, Steve (September 13, 1988). "There's something special about Mead's Hanson". Spokane Chronicle. (Washington). p. B1. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  6. ↑ Grummert, Dale (September 15, 1989). "Not your average kicker". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  7. ↑ Bergum, Steve (August 26, 1989). "Coach helps Coug kicker toe mark". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. B1. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  8. ↑ Murphy, Austin (October 21, 1991). "Best in his field". Sports Illustrated. p. 54. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  9. ↑ Weaver, Dan (June 25, 2001). "He gets his kicks". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. C1. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  10. ↑ "More awards for Hanson". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). November 22, 1991. p. 2B. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  11. ↑ "NFF Announces Storied 2020 College Football Hall of Fame Class Presented by ETT". National Football Foundation. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Jason Hanson, Combine Results, K - Washington State". nflcombineresults.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  13. ↑ "1992 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Mind-blowing stats for the Detroit Lions". NFL.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  15. ↑ Detroit Lions place kicker Jason Hanson on injured reserve – ESPN Chicago . Sports.espn.go.com (December 3, 2010). Retrieved on November 28, 2013.
  16. ↑ Lions kicker Jason Hanson retires after 21 seasons Archived October 10, 2014, at the Wayback Machine USA Today, April 4, 2013
  17. ↑ PFWA Staff. "Offensive Rookie of the Year". Pro Football Writers Of America. Published by the PFWA. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  18. ↑ PFWA Staff. "PFWA Record Book" (PDF). Pro Football Writers of America. Published by the PFWA. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022. The PFWA began naming Offensive Rookie Of The Year in 1992. Since 1966, 4 rookie placekickers and 5 rookie punters have been similarly distinguished by being named to the PFWA All-NFL team (see page 23).
  19. ↑ Detroit Lions induct Jason Hanson into ring of honor during retirement press conference Archived April 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine . MLive.com (April 9, 2013). Retrieved on November 28, 2013.
  20. 1 2 3 "Jason Hanson (2020) – Hall of Fame". National Football Foundation . Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  21. 1 2 3 "Inductee | Jason Hanson 2020". College Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Jason Hanson (1991) – Hall of Fame". National Football Foundation . Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  23. 1 2 "Jason Hanson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  24. ↑ "PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  25. ↑ "1992 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  26. ↑ Richardson, Anwar S. (April 9, 2013). "Detroit Lions induct Jason Hanson into ring of honor during retirement press conference". MLive Media Group . Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  27. ↑ Duff, Bob (November 7, 2008). "Lions to honour 75th anniversary team Sunday". Windsor Star . Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  28. ↑ Reisman, Jeremy (September 29, 2019). "Detroit Lions announce All-Time Team, including Matthew Stafford". Pride of Detroit . SB Nation. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  29. 1 2 Raven, Benjamin (July 7, 2020). "Top 10 field goal leaders in Detroit Lions history". MLive Media Group . Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  30. 1 2 OHara, Mike (July 5, 2020). "Where are they now: Jason Hanson". Detroit Lions . Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  31. 1 2 "Lions kicker Jason Hanson retires after 21 seasons". CBC . Associated Press. April 4, 2013. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Detroit Lions Career Scoring Summary Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Jason Hanson (2001) – Hall of Fame". Washington State University Athletics . Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Jason Hanson". Michigan Sports Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  35. ↑ "2019 Inductees – Washington Sports Hall of Fame". State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  36. ↑ Rockne, Dan (September 17, 1992). "(Travis) Hanson set to get his kicks". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. C1. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  37. ↑ Bouffard, Karen (September 17, 1992). "Ex-Lions kicker Hanson shares his faith, inspires men". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.