New Orleans Saints

Morten Andersen on third HOF finalist honor: 'It's special every year'

Published Jan. 7, 2016 10:59 p.m. ET

foxsports

While former New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons kicker Morten Andersen has now officially been named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the third time, it apparently still hasn't lost its luster.

The 15 finalists for the Hall of Fame were announced on Thursday, and Andersen made the cut for the third time in a row. Instead of being upset about not making it in yet, he instead talked about how special it is to even be considered.

Via Mike Triplett of ESPN:

“It’s special every year,” Andersen said. “When you’re considered among the 15 finalists, it is unique, and you have to recognize that. I don’t take it for granted. So every year for me, it’s a gift. I’m joyful and thrilled that people think enough of me and what I did to consider me in that very elite company. And we’ll see how it goes.”

As Triplett explains, Andersen has played in more games with 382 and scored more points with 2,544 than any player in history. On top of that, he holds a 360-game scoring streak, which is the longest in the NFL by a long shot.

Andersen is the epitome of consistency, and while there's only one other kicker in the Hall of Fame, Jan Stenerud, if any other kicker is deserving, it's absolutely Andersen.

Jeff Smith writes about the NFL for FOX Sports. You can find him on Twitter @JSM8ith.