Morten Andersen, NFL's All-Time Leader in Games Played, Officially Becomes US Citizen: 'Very Proud To Be an American'
When it comes to the NFL’s positional hierarchies, it seems as if kickers are right down there at the bottom along with punters.
Given their relatively fungible nature, and the fact that they rarely have anything to do with football’s most exciting plays, it’s understandable. Given that, it doesn’t mean they are valueless. Guys like Lou Groza are in the Hall of Fame for a reason, and active superstar kickers such as the ageless Adam Vinatieri and Justin Tucker will undoubtedly make it once they’re eligible.
Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker Morten Andersen, who was enshrined in 2017, is another one of those players whose accomplishments give kickers more street cred.
Andersen has a laundry list of accomplishments, according to his Hall of Fame page. He played a whopping 25 seasons in the NFL across three decades. In 22 of those seasons, he scored more than 90 points. In 14 of those seasons, he scored more than 100 points. Andersen has played in an NFL-record 382 games. He’s the all-time leading scorer for the NFC South rivals Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. He made seven Pro-Bowls. He’s part of not one, but two NFL All-Decade teams (1980s and 1990s.) He’s also the first player ever to kick three 50-yard field goals in the same game.
And while his latest accomplishment has nothing to do with football per se, it still deserves to be put up there with his on-field achievements.
Andersen, who was born in Struer, Denmark, tweeted out on Friday that he had officially become a U.S. citizen.
Honored to become a citizen of the greatest country on earth today, very proud to be an American. pic.twitter.com/CCjMtLgMVl
— Morten Andersen (@GreatDane2544) July 26, 2019
“Honored to become a citizen of the greatest country on earth today, very proud to be an American,” Andersen wrote with a picture of himself on Twitter.
In 2019’s polarizing political climate, any issue regarding immigration seems like a touchy one, but everyone should be able to agree that Andersen becoming an American citizen the legal way is worth celebrating.
Unfortunately, and somewhat unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for Andersen to receive some backlash on Twitter for celebrating his newly and legally gained citizenship.
In what ways is it the ‘greatest’?
— incohetur???????️? (@incohetur) July 27, 2019
How can the “greatest country on earth” elect Trump?
— Alex Morton (@MortonAlex) July 27, 2019
However, that isn’t to say Andersen didn’t get his fair share of congratulations.
Greatest country + greatest kicker
— John Butler (@Saintjohnbutler) July 27, 2019
And you did it the right way and legal way. Congratulations
— B & B Sharp (@BrandalynRaySha) July 27, 2019
Andersen, 58, began his playing career in 1982 and retired in 2007. During that lengthy span, he played for the Falcons, Saints, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs and the Minnesota Vikings. Before entering the NFL, Andersen played for Michigan State after coming to America as a teenager.
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