Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson kicked a 51-yard field goal in today's game at Indianapolis, making him the all-time leader in 50-yard field goals, with 41 in his career.The previous record of 40 was held by Morten Andersen.
Hanson is in his 17th NFL season, all with the Lions, and he's having one of his best years -- even as his team is having one of the worst years in NFL history. He's 7-for-7 this season on field goals of 50 yards or longer.
Unfortunately for Hanson, kickers are usually noticed only when they kick game-winning field goals, and the Lions haven't been a good enough team for Hanson to kick many game-winners. That makes Hanson the polar opposite of the other kicker in today's game at Indianapolis, Adam Vinatieri, a mediocre kicker who will get into the Hall of Fame some day because he's been lucky enough to play on good teams.
Hanson won't get a bust in Canton, but he will get his name in the record books.
