I held an NFL HOF ring in my hand last night

[Master___Pain]

So Jan Stenerud is a member at the club that I belong to in C. Springs. My parents have become good friends with he and his wife over the last few years and I have had the chance to play golf on a couple of occassions with him. So last night my folks invited him and his wife over for dinner and I was invited over as well. I was in heaven getting to ask him all about his career, HOF induction and his recent trip back to Canton. He is a very humble and approachable person. His story on how he came to be a football player is pretty remarkable too.

Stenerud came to the US on nordic skiing scholarship to Montan State University in the mid 60s. The football team had just wrapped up practice and Jan was running stairs in the stadium as the kickers stayed late for some additional practice. When Jan was done with his running he headed down towards the field and watched the kickers. Jan was a pretty good soccer player and was facinated by the guys kicking the oblong ball. He then asked if he could try and they said sure. He shanked his first attempt at a kickoff, but then creamed the next few through the endzone. A basketball coach of all people noticed him and mentioned this skier to the football coach. The next day Jan was running stairs again and the football coach yelled "Hey Skier!! Come down here." The rest is history.

Stenerud is the only placekicker in the HOF. I asked to see his HOF ring and he took it of and let me hold it last night. I asked him if he ever wore his SB ring and he said "No, it's too big. You should see the size of new rings, they are monsters!" He seems to know everyone. He had stories about Ted Hendricks "The Mad Stork", Gale Sayers, Night Train Lane, Elway and many others. I am hoping that he comes to the Chiefs game in September. If he decides to go I may get him to swing by the OF1 tailgate.

What a fun evening, tipping back beers and listening to stories with a HOFer.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Good stuff Master. You should ask him about Crosby if you get a chance.

[obediah]

Thats Awesome, although you could have invited me,, sheesh i live in C. Springs... :P


Obediah

[Crushaholic]

That's pretty cool, MP...

[Master___Pain]

Thats Awesome, although you could have invited me,, sheesh i live in C. Springs... :P


Obediah

My bad. Maybe next time.

Big Guy, next time I see him I'll ask him about Mason. I was trying to get him to join us for the CU/MSU game this year but he was not going to be in town that weekend. The MSU alumni Assoc tried to get him to commit but he could not.

[obediah]

im just playin with you, For all you know i am a Chiefs fan or even a faider,, ack it hurt to say that, but dont worry i will show you all i bleed orange and blue.

Obediah

[titan]

Stenerud was a great kicker. I'm sure it was a thrill to meet him and hear his stories.

In the late 60's after Stenerud had success it seemed every team wanted a soccer style kicker. The Broncos got their own in Bobby Howfield. I remember Howfield's booming kickoffs - they kicked off from the 40 back then but in the old Mile High Howfield could reach the wall of the South Stands on his kickoffs. What a leg!

Bronco historians may remember the Jets became disillusioned with Jim Turner's poor kickoffs and traded Turner for Howfield straight up. Turner went on to a ring-of-fame career for the Broncos. Howfield had some success with the Jets (he kicked 6 field goals for NY in a game against New Orleans in 1979).

Stenerud was one of the first soccer style kickers - now they all are soccer style. Anybody remember who the last straight on kicker was? Cleveland had one in the "Drive" game (can't remember his name but I noticed this on an espn show on the game recently)

[Master___Pain]

I think Mark Mosely was the last straight on kicker.

[GonzoLays]

In related news, Bob held Brodie Coyle's garden hose last night.

Bob: "What a fun evening, tipping back Coyle and listening to him moan."

[titan]

You may be right - Mosely was the Browns kicker I couldn't remember who kicked against the Broncos in the AFC Championship game ("The Drive")

[Master___Pain]

In related news, Bob held Brodie Coyle's garden hose last night.

Bob: "What a fun evening, tipping back Coyle and listening to him moan."

Go thread crap some where else.

[Crowpointer]

Stenerud currently serves as the Director of Business Development for the sports group and as of nine years ago has been working for HNTB out of his personal office in his home in Colorado Springs. HNTB has about 3,000 employees with 50 of them encompassing the sports group. Stenerud has been heavily involved in the design process for the Kansas City Chiefs' and Royals' stadiums, the Denver Broncos stadium and has recently done some preliminary work on the design for the San Francisco 49ers stadium. He is also heavily involved in college stadium renovation, including a recent project with the Orange Bowl.

[-Slap-]

I think Mark Mosely was the last straight on kicker.
He was the last straight on kicker for a number of years. He even won the NFL MVP in 1982, the only kicker (thankfully, what a joke) to ever win the award.

http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Mark-Moseley---Kicking-Photofile-Photograph-C10108491.jpeg

A great trivia question would be who was the second to last straight on kicker in the NFL.

[Master___Pain]

Stenerud currently serves as the Director of Business Development for the sports group and as of nine years ago has been working for HNTB out of his personal office in his home in Colorado Springs. HNTB has about 3,000 employees with 50 of them encompassing the sports group. Stenerud has been heavily involved in the design process for the Kansas City Chiefs' and Royals' stadiums, the Denver Broncos stadium and has recently done some preliminary work on the design for the San Francisco 49ers stadium. He is also heavily involved in college stadium renovation, including a recent project with the Orange Bowl.

He mentioned that they are doing the renovations for the Big House in MI, and Cal's stadium. The recently finished a renovation project on Samford Stadium where UGA plays.

[The Moops]

Talk about Broncos who have been totally ignored for the hall of fame, Jim "Tank" Turner is one. He kicked 3 field goals in Super Bowl III for the Jets and won a ton of last-second games for the Broncos. He retired second in NFL history in scoring and field goals behind old man Blanda.

Then the Broncos cut him without telling him to his face. He heard it on the news. Worst of all, he was replaced by a former Raider -- Fred Steinfort.

Ouch.

[titan]

At least Turner got into the Broncos Ring Of Fame, where at least one other deserving Bronco (Rick Upchurch!) has not.

Turner was a local talk sports talk show host in the Denver area after his retirement, then he seemed to disappear - any idea what he is doing now? I don't think he shows up at the Bronco alumni days anymore, either.

[ludo21]

MP, did you ask him about Elam's chances of the hall?

[Master___Pain]

MP, did you ask him about Elam's chances of the hall?

Very briefly. He said that it's virtually impossible for kickers to get in and he's very grateful to be the only one that is in. He did say that Elam is HOF caliber, but it's really tough for kickers in general. He said you could make a case for both Anderson's (Gary and Morten) too. He does think that Elam's 63 yarder and 2 championships put him ahead of the Anderson's. We did talk about TD and Rod's chances. He thought that Rod needed to cross 1000 catches to have a shot but mentioned that Art Monk is not even in yet and that Rod has never been the dominant WR of his era. He did mention that he wants no part of Michael Irvin being in the Hall. As for TD, I mentioned that TD's number's were similar to Sayer's and he basically scoffed at that notion. I have only seen highlights of Sayers so I went by what he, my father and grandfather all had to say about Sayers, which in short was that he's a much better player than TD.

[The Moops]

I don't think Turner associates himself with the Broncos very much. Ticked about the way he was released, I think. He still does a lot of charitable causes in the Denver area though.

I think Elam deserves Canton consideration as much as Vinatieri, whom every sports writer believes is the best pressure-cooking kicker. But, really, except for that bizarre line drive kick in the snow against the Raiders (which I don't think was a pressure kick, because no one thought he would make it), those Super Bowl kicks are way overblown.

Think about it, both of those Super Bowl kicks came playing indoors with the game tied. There was no pressure. If he missed the games would go to OT.

Scott Norwood was the kicker that had the most pressure on him. He had to try a 48-yarder on grass outdoors. Your boy, Jan Stenerud contends he had no chance cause the hold was terrible. If he missed, the Bills lost; if he made it, they won. That's real pressure.

[GonzoLays]

Very briefly. He said that it's virtually impossible for kickers to get in and he's very grateful to be the only one that is in. He did say that Elam is HOF caliber, but it's really tough for kickers in general. He said you could make a case for both Anderson's (Gary and Morten) too. He does think that Elam's 63 yarder and 2 championships put him ahead of the Anderson's. We did talk about TD and Rod's chances. He thought that Rod needed to cross 1000 catches to have a shot but mentioned that Art Monk is not even in yet and that Rod has never been the dominant WR of his era. He did mention that he wants no part of Michael Irvin being in the Hall. As for TD, I mentioned that TD's number's were similar to Sayer's and he basically scoffed at that notion. I have only seen highlights of Sayers so I went by what he, my father and grandfather all had to say about Sayers, which in short was that he's a much better player than TD.

Jon might of had one too many natural lights.

Rod Smith >>>>> Art Monk (who should never be mentioned as a hall of fame WR because he simply wasn't good enough.)

Terrell Davis >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Gale Sayers


Gale Sayers is the most overhyped athlete in the history of sports.

[Master___Pain]

Jon might of had one too many natural lights.

Rod Smith >>>>> Art Monk (who should never be mentioned as a hall of fame WR because he simply wasn't good enough.)


First of it's Jan, not Jon. Lay off bashing the guy, dip****.

Lines like the Monk one prove you know jack **** about football. Art Monk was number in damn near every receiving stat when he retired. He's absolutely deserves the HOF. I'd argue that Rod will be a HOFer when his career is over as well.

At least I can admit that I did not see Sayers play, where as you, who have never seen Sayers play act like you've studied all his game film. You are such a joke.

[GonzoLays]

First of it's Jan, not Jon. Lay off bashing the guy, dip****.

Lines like the Monk one prove you know jack **** about football. Art Monk was number in damn near every receiving stat when he retired. He's absolutely deserves the HOF. I'd argue that Rod will be a HOFer when his career is over as well.

At least I can admit that I did not see Sayers play, where as you, who have never seen Sayers play act like you've studied all his game film. You are such a joke.

When did I bash Jan?

The ONLY thing Art Monk had going for him was longevity. That's it. When did he lead the league in receiving? Or touchdowns? Was he consistently one of the best WR's in the league year in and year out? No. Absolutely not. He was just there. He was solid. Had a couple of thousand yard seasons and retired.

Gale Sayers only played like four seasons. That's it. How many times did Mr. Hype lead the league in rushing? How many times did he lead his team to the championship? What in the **** did he do that was so freaking amazing? I still don't get it.

[Master___Pain]

When did I bash Jan?
Oh by insinuating he was drunk perhaps?

The ONLY thing Art Monk had going for him was longevity. That's it. When did he lead the league in receiving? Or touchdowns? Was he consistently one of the best WR's in the league year in and year out? No. Absolutely not. He was just there. He was solid. Had a couple of thousand yard seasons and retired.

Gonzo, if Monk does not get in, Rod Smith has zero, repeat zero chance of getting in. They are very simlar players. Rod has never been the dominant WR of his era, but has great numbers due to his LONGEVITY, you know, the same thing that Monk had among his peers. Monk led the NFL in catches once with 106, at the time an NFL record. He has the second longest consecutive games with catching a pass in NFL history, is 5 all time in receptions and 9th in yards. It's a good thing for Rod if Monk get in because of their similar careers. Rod needs two more seasons of very productive play.

Gale Sayers only played like four seasons. That's it. How many times did Mr. Hype lead the league in rushing? How many times did he lead his team to the championship? What in the **** did he do that was so freaking amazing? I still don't get it.

He did score 6 tds in a game.... but I never saw the man play a game so I am not really able to comment on how good he was or was not. TD has better stats but they are from two different generations but were, as I understand it, two of the best from their eras but had careers cut short from injury. I think TD is a HOFer, but I can not compare him to Sayers and how good he was since I have never seen him play, like you.

[BroncoBuff]

Anybody old enough to remember his Bronco counterpart .... Bobby Howfield?

[GonzoLays]

Oh by insinuating he was drunk perhaps?



Gonzo, if Monk does not get in, Rod Smith has zero, repeat zero chance of getting in. They are very simlar players. Rod has never been the dominant WR of his era, but has great numbers due to his LONGEVITY, you know, the same thing that Monk had among his peers. Monk led the NFL in catches once with 106, at the time an NFL record. He has the second longest consecutive games with catching a pass in NFL history, is 5 all time in receptions and 9th in yards. It's a good thing for Rod if Monk get in because of their similar careers. Rod needs two more seasons of very productive play.




To compare a scrub like Art Monk to Rod Smith is blasphemy!

Let's take a look at their stats:

Art Monk:

224 games played
5~1,000 yard seasons
68 TDs
9 seasons, count'em, 9 seasons with less than 800 yards receiving

Rod Smith:

167 games played
8~1000 yard seasons
65 tds
2 seasons, count'em, 2 seasons with less than 800 yards receiving

Rod almost has the same stats as Art and has played in 57 less games than him! Rod outclasses Monk on every level from blocking, productivity per season, most receptions in a season, most receiving yards in a season, consecutive 1,000 yard seasons, and TDs in season. How can we even compare the two?

Everything Monk has done, Rod has done it better. Just because Monk was an average WR whose only outstanding quality was being able to suit up for 15 seasons does not make him a hall of famer in my book. He had waaaaaaaaay tooo many subpar seasons to be considered among the all the time greats. He is like a career .260 hitter in baseball who played 20 seasons and got the magical number of the 3,000 hits. Does that guy deserve to be in the Baseball hall of fame? Absolutely not. Same for Monk.

Rod Smith>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Art Monk

[The Moops]

Rod's got one other advantage over Art Monk: the media loves Rod and hated Monk. Art was surly to the press and that's one of the reasons he's not getting any HOF love.