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 most points scored (328), longest field goal (62 yards), most games with two or more field goals (20), field goals (63), and points-after-touchdown (139)
  • WSU’s fifth player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
  • 1991 NFF National Scholar-Athlete and a three-time First Team Academic All-American and First Team Academic All-Pac-10 honoree

NFL career with the Detroit Lions:

  • Most seasons played with one team (21 with Detroit Lions)
  • Most games played with one team (327 Detroit Lions)
  • Most field goals of 40 or more yards (189)
  • Most consecutive field goals of 40 or more yards (24)
  • Field goals made: 495
  • Field goals attempted: 601
  • Field goal percentage: 82.4
  • Long field goal: 56
  • Points scored: 2,150
  • Detroit Lions all-time leader in scoring and in field goals
  • 17 game-winning field goals in NFL career (eight in regulation and nine in overtime)
  • Offensive Rookie Of The Year in 1992 (as of 2022, the only NFL kicker ever awarded that distinction)
  • First player in NFL history to score 2,000 points with one franchise

Watch a few of Hanson’s highlights below, along with some interviews about his career, faith, and favorite Martin Stadium moment. Read a profile of Hanson in “The long kick.”

 

Hanson’s 1994 game-winning field goal in the Detroit Lions versus Atlanta Falcons

A remarkable field goal in overtime, even though Hanson could not feel his leg after an injury.

 

Highlights of Hanson’s Detroit Lions career (Detroit Lions official website)

 

Hanson shows the art of placekicking

WNEM TV5 – 1999

 

Hanson on Sports Spectrum podcast

Hanson talks about his Christian faith while playing in the NFL.

 

Interview with Hanson from 2022

Lions Nation Unite

 
 

Favorite Martin Stadium moment from Cougar legend Hanson

WSU Athletics

 

 

Hanson makes the tackle (NFL on YouTube)