One of the mainstays at the kicker position in the NFL called it a career on Sunday, paving the way for some new names to step up at the steady spot on the field. Sebastian Janikowski announced his retirement on Sunday afternoon after 19 NFL seasons. The veteran went straight to ESPN with his news, telling them that his body just could not take the "rigors" of kicking in the league. He also reference his lone Super Bowl appearance, which was a 48-21 Oakland Raiders loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He said of that game "it still hurts."
Over his 19-year NFL career, the 41-year-old made $53.29 million, and most recently signed a one-year contract that was worth $2.015 million with the Seattle Seahawks. He spent his first 18 NFL seasons with the Raiders, but struggled in what ended up being the final season of his career. Janikowski finished 22-of-27 on field goals, which was good for an 81.5 percent mark on field goals that ranked 23rd among kickers in 2018. He was also 41-of-58 on PATs, but he did have three game winners on the year.
Janikowski made two field goals in the Seahawks' NFC Wild Card loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but did suffer a hamstring injury while attempting a long field goal. He did no return, which led to Seattle attempting multiple two-point conversions, and Michael Dickson taking care of the kickoffs.
The long-time Raiders kicker was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, and was the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 1,799 points. His 1,913 career points overall ranks 10th in NFL history, while his 436 made field goals are tied with Jason Elam for ninth all-time, and his 542 attempts are good for 10th. He also holds the NFL record with 58 made field goals of 50 or more yards, including a 63-yarder in 2011 against Denver Broncos. And now, with this retirement announcement, Tom Brady remains the lone player remaining from the 2000 draft.
Over his 19-year NFL career, the 41-year-old made $53.29 million, and most recently signed a one-year contract that was worth $2.015 million with the Seattle Seahawks. He spent his first 18 NFL seasons with the Raiders, but struggled in what ended up being the final season of his career. Janikowski finished 22-of-27 on field goals, which was good for an 81.5 percent mark on field goals that ranked 23rd among kickers in 2018. He was also 41-of-58 on PATs, but he did have three game winners on the year.
Janikowski made two field goals in the Seahawks' NFC Wild Card loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but did suffer a hamstring injury while attempting a long field goal. He did no return, which led to Seattle attempting multiple two-point conversions, and Michael Dickson taking care of the kickoffs.
The long-time Raiders kicker was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, and was the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 1,799 points. His 1,913 career points overall ranks 10th in NFL history, while his 436 made field goals are tied with Jason Elam for ninth all-time, and his 542 attempts are good for 10th. He also holds the NFL record with 58 made field goals of 50 or more yards, including a 63-yarder in 2011 against Denver Broncos. And now, with this retirement announcement, Tom Brady remains the lone player remaining from the 2000 draft.
