Former Raiders Kicker Sebastian Janikowski to Retire

On Sunday, Sebastian Janikowski said he would retire from the NFL at 41. The former kicker with the Oakland Raiders played 19 seasons in the NFL.

Jankowski said that Super Bowl XXXVII, which the Raiders lost to Tampa Bay 48-21, still hurts when he thinks about it.

The kicker said he believes his body cannot take the rigors of kicking any longer in the NFL.

Affectionately nicked Seabass, Janikowski earned more during his NFL career than any other kicker as his total income was more than $53.38 million.

Last year Janikowski signed with the Seattle Seahawks for one year and $2.015 million after playing 18 seasons with the Raiders.

With the Seahawks, Janikowski made 22 of 27 field goal attempts. His 81.5% conversion rate was No. 23 amongst kickers. However, three of his made field goals won games as time expired. The left-footed kicker also converted 48 of his 51 PATs.

In Seattle’s loss to Dallas in last season’s wildcard game, Janikowski made two field goals prior to hurting a hamstring when attempting to make a long field goal as the first half ended.

Because Janikowski was not able to play in the second half, Seattle was forced to attempt two-point conversions following two touchdowns in the second half. Michael Dickson, who is the team punter, kicked off following the touchdowns.

Janikowski was picked No. 17 overall in the 2000 NFL draft and left Oakland as the all-time leading scorer for the Raiders with 1,799 points.

Janikowski ended his career with 1,913 points which is No. 10 all-time in the NFL and the 436 field goals he made are tied for ninth with Jason Elam.

The former Florida State standout was known for having a powerful leg that kicked a record 58 field goals of 50 or more yards including one of 63 yards in 2011 that at that time tied the NFL record for the longest.

With Janikowski announcing his retirement, the only player remaining from the NFL draft of 2000 is New England’s Tom Brady.