Saints kicker Morten Andersen (7) follows through on game-winning, 49-yard field goal against Cowboys back when he played for the Saints.
(John H. Williams photo/State-Times)
Ex-Saints kicker Morten Andersen became a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist for a second year in a row on Thursday night, but former LSU offensive lineman Kevin Mawae did not make the cut.
Andersen emerged as one of 15 finalists for the Class of 2015. Other finalists are former wide receiver Marvin Harrison, coach Jimmy Johnson, safety John Lynch, tackle Orlando Pace, executive Bill Polian, linebacker Junior Seau, guard Will Shields, running back Jerome Bettis, wide receiver Tim Brown, coach Don Coryell, running back Terrell Davis, coach Tony Dungy, linebacker/defensive end Kevin Greene and defensive end/linebacker Charles Haley.
“I’m honored and once again reminded of all the legendary players who are represented in Canton,” the community in Ohio where the Hall of Fame is located, Andersen wrote in a text message Thursday. “It certainly is a humbling feeling to be considered for induction.”
A native of Copenhagen, Denmark, Andersen joined the NFL with the Saints in 1982 and played in the league until 2007. He spent 13 seasons in New Orleans, made seven career Pro Bowls and retired as the NFL’s career leader in points (2,544) and games played (382).
Andersen was a Hall of Fame semifinalist in 2013; and he was a finalist in 2014, when New Orleans native/ex-Southern University standout/star defensive back Aeneas Williams was picked for induction.
As for Mawae, he grew up in Leesville before becoming a three-time All-Southeastern Conference selection at LSU. He played from 1994-2009 with the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans and was an eight-time Pro Bowl pick. He was among 26 semifinalists named in November.
Voters will select the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2015 on Jan. 31, the day before Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona.
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