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National Football League

Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson on the field
Spring 2023

Quite the kicking career

Jason Hanson booted his way into football history over more than two decades on the gridiron.

He set college records as the Cougar placekicker at Washington State University, then went on to even more in professional football during his 21 years with the Detroit Lions.

By the numbers

WSU career:

57.1 percent of field goals completed from 50 yards or greater (remains a Pac-12 Conference record)
Most field goals from 50 yards or more (20), and 40 yards or more (39) in NCAA football
62-yard field goal against UNLV in 1991 is still a WSU and Pac-12 record
WSU records: Second … » More …

No white flags
Spring 2016

No white flags

Steve Gleason made a name for himself on the football field but his most enduring contribution may be tackling ALS.

The statue built in his honor outside the New Orleans Superdome depicts Steve Gleason ’00 on the gridiron doing what he does best: pushing himself harder and, in turn, inspiring others.

That personal drive didn’t stop when Gleason left the National Football League in 2008. Nor when he was diagnosed in 2011 at the age of 34 with ALS, the terminal neuromuscular disease that has since left him immobile and reliant on eye-controlled technology to communicate.

Gleason, who helped take WSU to the Rose Bowl … » More …

Steve Gleason videos thumb
Spring 2016

Video: Highlights of Steve Gleason’s career

Steve Gleason ’00 has faced opponents on the football field with resilience and fierce energy. He takes that same approach to ALS, pushing for more research into the neurodegenerative disease.

Here are some video highlights of his career:

Steve Gleason’s Super Bowl Feature (Courtesy Team Gleason)

Better Now than Never: Steve Gleason at WSU (WSU Athletics)

Pearl Jam and Steve Gleason (Courtesy Pearl Jam)

Watch “A Football Life: Steve Gleason – No white flags” (NFL Films)

Fall 2015

Dr. Dan Doornink’s football career

Highlights of the football career of Dan Doornink ’78, with the Seattle Seahawks and the WSU Cougars, produced by Seattle Seahawks Legends and WSU Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections.

A Visit with Dan Doornink

by Seattle Seahawks Legends

“Dr. Dan” was a running back for the Seahawks for seven seasons (1979-85), and will always be remembered for his 123-yard rushing performance in the 1984 Wild Card playoff win against the LA Raiders at the Kingdome.

L.A. Raiders vs Seattle Seahawks 1984-85 1st Half

1984-85 AFC Wildcard Game between the Raiders visiting the Seahawks from the Kingdome in Seattle. The Raiders are … » More …