Jan Stenerud (born November 26, 1942) is a Norwegian-American former professional football placekicker who played 19 seasons in the AFL and NFL, most notably with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was the first Norwegian to play in the league and one of the earliest specialists dedicated solely to kicking. A six-time all-star and four-time All-Pro, Stenerud was instrumental in Kansas City’s victory in Super Bowl IV, where he kicked three field goals. In 1991, he became the first exclusive placekicker inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a distinction he held until Morten Andersen joined him in 2017.
Early Life and College Career
Stenerud was born in Fetsund, Norway, and came to the United States on a ski jumping scholarship to Montana State University. While training for ski season in 1964, he was noticed kicking a football after practice and was offered a chance to join the football team. By 1965, he had earned a spot as the team’s kicker and made national headlines with a 59-yard field goal, then a college football record. He was named an All-American in both football and ski jumping, becoming one of the most unique dual-sport athletes of his era.
Professional Career
Stenerud entered the AFL in 1966 with the Kansas City Chiefs. He quickly became one of the most accurate kickers in the game, hitting 70% of his field goals at a time when the league average was far lower. He was among the first to use the “soccer style” of kicking, a technique introduced by Pete Gogolak but perfected by Stenerud.
His defining moment came in Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings. Stenerud opened the scoring with a 48-yard field goal, at the time the longest in Super Bowl history, and finished the game with three field goals to help secure the Chiefs’ 23–7 win.
Stenerud went on to play 13 seasons with Kansas City, followed by stints with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. Over 19 seasons, he made 373 field goals and 580 extra points, finishing with 1,699 career points.
Legacy and Honors
Stenerud was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991, becoming the first exclusive placekicker honored. His jersey number 3 is retired by the Kansas City Chiefs, and he is also a member of the Packers Hall of Fame. He was named to both the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team in 1994 and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019.
In addition to his Hall of Fame legacy, Stenerud helped legitimize the role of the specialist kicker in professional football. His success opened the door for international players and changed the way teams approached special teams strategy.
Life After Football
After retiring in 1985, Stenerud worked in stadium and arena design and also served as a television commentator for Super Bowl broadcasts in Scandinavia. He remains active in maintaining ties with Norway, where a street in his hometown of Fetsund was renamed in his honor.