Jan Stenerud – Montana State, Football, 1964-66/Skiing, 1962-64
Stenerud, a two-sport All-American, is regarded by many as the best placekicker in pro football history. Before he kicked his way past competitors, Stenerud was an All-American ski jumper. A two-time Big Sky ski jump champion (1963, 1964), he won four of his six regular season meets in 1964. In 1965, Stenerud made a 59-yard field goal to set an NCAA record. The 1966 Sporting News All-Division All-American led MSU to a Big Sky Championship that year. Stenerud set Big Sky records for extra points in a season and most extra points attempted. He was the Big Sky’s leading kicker statistically in 1965 and 1966, but all-league specialists were not selected until later years. Stenerud was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs (AFL) and Atlanta Falcons (NFL). He was inducted in the NFL and Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1991, and the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1992 (first pure kicker inducted). He had his jersey retired by Montana State and Kansas City. A member of Super Bowl IV Champion Kansas City Chiefs (also played in Super Bowl I) was a four-time Pro Bowler, four-time First Team All-Pro, two-time Second Team All-Pro, First Team All-AFL twice, and Second Team All-AFL once. His 373 field goals made and 1,699 career points were both NFL records at the time of his retirement. He played 19 seasons in the NFL, finishing with the Minnesota Vikings and was named to NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team.