Jason Hanson Explained

Jason Hanson
Number:	4
Position:	Placekicker
Birth Date:	17 June 1970
Birth Place:	Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Height Ft:	6
Height In:	0
Weight Lbs:	190
Highlights:	Second-team All-Pro (1997) 2× Pro Bowl (1997, 1999) PFWA All-Rookie Team (1992) Pride of the Lions Detroit Lions 75th Anniversary Team Detroit Lions All-Time Team Unanimous All-American (1989) First-team All-American (1991) Third-team All-American (1990) 3× First-team All-Pac-10 (1989, 1990, 1991) Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (2014) State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame (2019) NFL records Most seasons played with one team: 21 (Detroit Lions) Most games played with one team: 327 (Detroit Lions)
High School:	Mead (Spokane, Washington)
College:	Washington State (1988–1991)
Draftyear:	1992
Draftround:	2
Draftpick:	56
Pastteams:	Detroit Lions (–)
Statlabel1:	Field goals made
Statvalue1:	495
Statlabel2:	Field goals attempted
Statvalue2:	601
Statlabel3:	Field goal %
Statvalue3:	82.4
Statlabel4:	Longest field goal
Statvalue4:	56
Statlabel5:	Points scored
Statvalue5:	2,150
Pfr:	H/hansojas01
Collegehof:	2454

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]}

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

Hanson was selected in the second round of the 1992 NFL draft by the Lions, the 56th overall pick.^[12] 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.^[13]

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.^[14]

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.^[15] 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.^{[16] [17]}

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.^[18]

Career regular season statistics

Career high/best bolded

Regular season statistics
Season	Team (record)
	DET (5–11)	16	21	26	80.8	0–0	5–5	10–10	4–6	2–5	52	1	30	30	100.0	93
	DET (10–6)	16	34	43	79.1	1–1	8–8	15–15	7–12	3–7	53	1	28	28	100.0	130
	DET (9–7)	16	18	27	66.7	0–0	6–7	7–7	5–8	0–5	49	3	39	40	97.5	93
	DET (10–6)	16	28	34	82.4	2–2	4–4	16–17	5–10	1–1	56	3	48	48	100.0	132
	DET (5–11)	16	12	17	70.6	0–0	4–4	4–5	3–4	1–3	51	1	36	36	100.0	72
	DET (9–7)	16	26	29	89.7	0–0	10–10	8–9	5–5	3–5	55	0	39	40	97.5	117
	DET (5–11)	16	29	33	87.9	0–0	8–8	7–7	13–15	1–3	51	2	27	29	93.1	114
	DET (8–8)	16	26	32	81.3	0–0	8–8	4–4	10–12	4–8	52	0	28	29	96.6	106
	DET (9–7)	16	24	30	80.0	2–2	6–7	10–12	4–7	2–2	54	2	29	29	100.0	101
	DET (2–14)	16	21	30	70.0	1–1	2–2	8–8	6–12	4–7	54	1	23	23	100.0	86
	DET (3–13)	16	23	28	82.1	0–0	8–8	8–9	7–8	0–3	49	0	31	31	100.0	100
	DET (5–11)	16	22	23	95.7	0–0	7–7	6–6	5–6	4–4	54	0	26	27	96.3	92
	DET (6–10)	16	24	28	85.7	0–0	9–9	10–11	5–8	0–0	48	0	28	28	100.0	100
	DET (5–11)	15	19	24	79.2	1–1	9–9	3–3	4–7	2–4	52	1	27	27	100.0	84
	DET (3–13)	16	29	33	87.9	1–1	12–12	6–6	7–8	3–6	53	0	30	30	100.0	117
	DET (7–9)	16	29	35	82.9	1–1	4–5	10–12	11–13	3–4	53	3	35	36	97.2	122
	DET (0–16)	16	21	22	95.5	0–0	3–3	4–5	6–6	8–8	56	2	25	26	96.2	88
	DET (2–14)	16	21	28	75.0	0–0	5–5	8–9	8–11	1–4	50	0	25	25	100.0	88
	DET (6–10)	8	12	14	85.7	0–0	1–1	4–4	4–5	3–4	52	0	19	19	100.0	55
	DET (10–6)	16	24	29	82.8	0–0	9–9	8–9	2–4	5–7	51	1	54	54	100.0	126
	DET (4–12)	16	32	36	88.9	1–1	3–3	10–10	16–19	2–3	53	0	38	38	100.0	134
Career (21 seasons)		327	495	601	82.4	10–10	131–134	166–178	137–186	52–93	56	21	665	673	98.8	2150

Career awards and honors

College awards

• College Football Hall of Fame inductee (class of 2020)^{[19] [20]}
• NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award^[21]
• Unanimous All-American (1989)
• First-team All-American (1991)
• Third-team All-American (1990)
• 3× First-team All-Pac-10 (1989–1991)

NFL awards

• Second-team All-Pro (1997)^[22]
• 2× Pro Bowl (1997, 1999)
• PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year (1992)^[23]
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (1992)^[24]
• Pride of the Lions^[25]
• Detroit Lions 75th Anniversary Team^[26]
• Detroit Lions All-Time Team^[27]

NFL records

• Most field goals of 40 or more yards (career) – 189^[28]
• Most consecutive field goals of 40 or more yards – 24 (2007–09)
• Most career game winning field goals in overtime – 9 (tied with Jason Elam, Jim Breech, and Steve Christie)
• Most career games with one NFL team – 327 (1992–2012)^[29]
• Most career seasons with one NFL team – 21 (1992–2012)^[30]
• Most career points with one NFL team – 2,150
• First player in NFL history to score 2,000 points with one franchise

Detroit Lions franchise records

• Most career points scored – 2,150^[31]

Other

• Washington State University Athletics Hall of Fame (2001)^[32]
• Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (2014)^[33]
• State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame (2019)^[34]

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.^[35] Hanson is a Christian.^[36]

External links

• Washington State University Athletic Hall-of-Fame – Jason Hanson – inducted 2001

Notes and References

1. Web site: October 23, 2018 . Detroit Lions: 30 greatest players in franchise history . August 10, 2021 . August 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210810223119/https://sidelionreport.com/2018/10/23/detroit-lions-30-greatest-players-franchise-history-barry-sanders-calvin-johnson/28/ . live .
2. Web site: June 7, 2019 . Who is the Second-Most Beloved Detroit Lion of All Time? . August 10, 2021 . August 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210810223107/https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/articles/who-second-most-beloved-detroit-lion-all-time . live .
3. Web site: August 6, 2017 . POLL: Which former Lion most deserves Hall of Fame induction? . August 10, 2021 . August 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210810223110/https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2017/08/06/poll-which-former-lion-most-deserves-hall-of-fame-induction/ . live .
4. News: Taylor . Kevin . June 1, 1988 . Lemery, Hanson are top scholar-athletes . D3 . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . September 20, 2016 . January 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200126042109/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pr5YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6O8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7037,214308 . live .
5. News: Bergum . Steve . September 13, 1988 . There's something special about Mead's Hanson . B1 . Spokane Chronicle . (Washington) . September 20, 2016 . January 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200126042107/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LkNYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6PkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2265,1630848 . live .
6. News: Grummert . Dale . September 15, 1989 . Not your average kicker . 1B . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . July 30, 2019 . April 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406043348/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GXdfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iS8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4773,4276869 . live .
7. News: Bergum . Steve . August 26, 1989 . Coach helps Coug kicker toe mark . B1 . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . September 20, 2016 . January 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200126042108/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hFxWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DPADAAAAIBAJ&pg=2030%2C2984439 . live .
8. Murphy . Austin . October 21, 1991 . Best in his field . Sports Illustrated . 54 . July 30, 2019 . July 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190730140247/https://www.si.com/vault/1991/10/21/125206/best-in-his-field-the-talented-toe-of-washington-states-jason-hanson-gives-him-a-leg-up-on-all-college-kickers . live .
9. News: Weaver . Dan . June 25, 2001 . He gets his kicks . C1 . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . September 20, 2016 . April 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406043349/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UmZWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hPIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2469,3775463 . live .
10. News: November 22, 1991 . More awards for Hanson . 2B . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . September 20, 2016 . April 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406042054/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GZlfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ejEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2141,1654189 . live .
11. Web site: NFF Announces Storied 2020 College Football Hall of Fame Class Presented by ETT . 21 August 2020 . National Football Foundation . September 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200913230215/https://footballfoundation.org/news/2020/3/11/nff-announces-storied-2020-college-football-hall-of-fame-class.aspx . live .
12. Web site: 1992 NFL Draft Listing . 2023-05-07 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . October 22, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181022152736/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1992/draft.htm . live .
13. Web site: Mind-blowing stats for the Detroit Lions . NFL.com . 2 April 2024 . April 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402180916/https://www.nfl.com/photos/mind-blowing-stats-for-the-detroit-lions-0ap3000000502558 . live .
14. https://www.espn.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=5875503 Detroit Lions place kicker Jason Hanson on injured reserve – ESPN Chicago
15. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2013/04/04/jason-hanson-retires-lions/2054115/ Lions kicker Jason Hanson retires after 21 seasons
16. Web site: PFWA Staff . Offensive Rookie of the Year . 1 May 2022 . Pro Football Writers Of America . Published by the PFWA . May 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225319/https://www.profootballwriters.org/on-field-awards/pfwa-nfl-offensive-rookie-of-the-year/ . live .
17. Web site: PFWA Staff . PFWA Record Book . 1 May 2022 . Pro Football Writers of America . Published by the PFWA . May 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220516040551/https://www.profootballwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/PFWARecordBook_070121web.pdf . live . 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).
18. http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/04/detroit_lions_induct_jason_han.html Detroit Lions induct Jason Hanson into ring of honor during retirement press conference
19. Web site: Jason Hanson (2020) – Hall of Fame . . 28 June 2024 . en . June 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240628141225/https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=2454 . live .
20. Web site: Inductee Jason Hanson 2020 . . 28 June 2024 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229093146/https://cfbhall.com/inductees/jason-hanson-2020 . live .
21. Web site: Jason Hanson (1991) – Hall of Fame . . 28 June 2024 . en . October 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231008003121/https://footballfoundation.org/hof_scholars.aspx?hof=628 . live .
22. Web site: Jason Hanson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . . 28 June 2024 . en . December 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209045641/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/hansojas01.htm . live .
23. Web site: PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year Winners . . 28 June 2024 . en . May 14, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240514135654/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/pfwa-offensive-rookie-of-the-year-award.htm . live .
24. Web site: 1992 NFL All-Rookie Team . . 28 June 2024 . en . May 14, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240514165329/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-1992.htm . live .
25. Web site: Richardson . Anwar S. . Detroit Lions induct Jason Hanson into ring of honor during retirement press conference . . 28 June 2024 . en . 9 April 2013 . November 19, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201119165740/https://www.mlive.com/lions/2013/04/detroit_lions_induct_jason_han.html . live .
26. News: Duff . Bob . November 7, 2008 . Lions to honour 75th anniversary team Sunday . 28 June 2024 . . June 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240628141149/https://windsorstar.com/sports/lions-to-honour-75th-anniversary-team-sunday . live .
27. Web site: Detroit Lions announce All-Time Team, including Matthew Stafford . . 2019-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231218141904/https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2019/9/29/20889825/detroit-lions-announce-all-time-team-roster . 2023-12-18 . live . Reisman . Jeremy . . 28 June 2024 . en.
28. Web site: Raven . Benjamin . 7 July 2020 . Top 10 field goal leaders in Detroit Lions history . 28 June 2024 . . en . December 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207233715/https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/07/top-10-field-goal-leaders-in-detroit-lions-history.html . live .
29. Web site: OHara . Mike . July 5, 2020 . Where are they now: Jason Hanson . . 2 April 2024 . April 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402180917/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/where-are-they-now-jason-hanson . live .
30. Web site: April 4, 2013 . Lions kicker Jason Hanson retires after 21 seasons . 2 April 2024 . . . April 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402180917/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/nfl/lions-kicker-jason-hanson-retires-after-21-seasons-1.1309264 . live .
31. Web site: Detroit Lions Career Scoring Summary Leaders . . 28 June 2024 . November 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130025435/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/career-scoring.htm . live .
32. Web site: Jason Hanson (2001) – Hall of Fame . . 28 June 2024 . en . May 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240523115458/https://wsucougars.com/honors/hall-of-fame/jason-hanson/1168 . live .
33. Web site: Jason Hanson . . 28 June 2024 . December 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231201162946/https://michigansportshof.org/inductee/jason-hanson/ . live .
34. Web site: 2019 Inductees – Washington Sports Hall of Fame . . 28 June 2024 . June 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240628141147/https://washingtonsportshof.org/2019-inductees/ . live .
35. News: Rockne . Dan . September 17, 1992 . (Travis) Hanson set to get his kicks . C1 . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . September 20, 2016 . April 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406043352/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vFtWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SPADAAAAIBAJ&pg=3560,5524810 . live .
36. News: Bouffard. Karen. September 17, 1992. May 16, 2023. The Detroit News. Ex-Lions kicker Hanson shares his faith, inspires men. May 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230516172935/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/religion/2016/01/09/ex-lions-kicker-hanson-shares-faith-inspires-men/78555574/. live.