Legendary New Orleans Saints kicker Morten Andersen to join Ring of Honor
Head coach Sean Payton announced Monday that Black and Gold legend and 25-year NFL kicker Morten Andersen will join the New Orleans Saints Ring of Honor.
The Ring of Honor idea was established in 2013 by Payton and owner Tom Benson. “I think the one thing we wanted it to be was not unique, but very tough to get in,” Payton said Monday.
.@SeanPayton announces Morten Andersen will join the #Saints Ring of Honor in 2015 pic.twitter.com/tj91Nia33N
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 3, 2015
Tom Benson had some kind words to say (from NewOrleansSaints.com):
"“We as an organization would like to honor Morten for his great career as a Saint with everything he did for us on the field as well as being an outstanding ambassador in our community,” Benson said. “He made so many big kicks for us throughout his career and is a great addition to our Ring of Honor. Hopefully Morten’s next honor after this will take place in Canton to join the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”"
In 25 years, the Copenhagen, Denmark native was named to seven Pro Bowl teams (six-time All-Pro), was named to the NFL’s 1980’s and 1990’s All-Decade Teams, and holds 13 NFL records, including games played (382), points (2,544) and field goals (565).
Morten Andersen, who played 13 years in the Big Easy, also holds the Saints’ records for games played, field goals, PATs and scoring. A member of the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame, he was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014 and 2015. Coach Payton said he knows Andersen will be there one day.
Morten Andersen ring of honor pic.twitter.com/XhUYv9Ow0N
— Lyons Yellin (@LyonsYellin) August 3, 2015
Probably one of the more polished kickers in NFL history, Morten Andersen will join former quarterback Archie Manning, legendary linebacker Rickey Jackson (see Dome Patrol), and offensive lineman great Willie Roaf in the Saints Ring of Honor. Andersen hopes to soon join Jackson and Roaf in the PFHOF.
“It truly is an honor and a privilege to be joining three legendary Saints players, Archie Manning, Rickey Jackson and Willie Roaf,” Morten Andersen said. “It’s humbling, because there’s four of us right now that’s going to be up there, immortalized, and a wealth of emotions kind of flood over you in a powerful moment like this.”
Morten Andersen’s induction into the Ring of Honor will take place during a halftime ceremony this upcoming season. The game is yet to be determined.