I make goals that are motivational, that are specific, that are realistic.Collection: Motivational
I landed in Indianapolis on my 17th birthday. There to greet me was my new American family, the Bakers. I had barely blown out the candles on my birthday cake before the question came, 'So, do you want to go watch a football game? We need a kicker.'Collection: Birthday
Nobody is guaranteed tomorrow, but why not have goals that are cool and motivational?Collection: Motivational
We have a Danish Christmas. On Christmas Eve we dance around the tree, hold hands, sing carols. There are real candles on the tree.Collection: Christmas
I owe Bum Phillips a huge tip of the 10-gallon hat. He had patience with me when I started my NFL career in New Orleans. And he stuck with me until we got it right.Collection: Patience
I don't spend a lot of time reflecting on my career. That's not quality time for me.
With Harry Kane, if he wants to be legit on this then awesome, but you can't tell me Harry Kane knows the intricacies of being an NFL kicker much like I don't know about being a Premier League soccer player.
I'm not debating he doesn't have skill, but I don't think it's fair to say that Harry Kane can just insert himself as a bona fide NFL kicker - there is more to it, he has to earn that just like we earned it.
High achievers sometimes are not the nicest people.
The defining moment of my life came... when I trotted onto the field wearing a purple jersey No. 46, shoulder pads meant for a linebacker and a helmet that could hold more than one large box of movie popcorn.
I believe my induction sends a clear message that the position of the specialist is important, relevant and undeniable. Hopefully more will find their way into the Hall of Fame.
Just the high level of consistency over a quarter-century, that's what I'm most proud of. And then being able to deliver big kicks when they counted, when the game was on the line.
I'm just very fortunate that Bum Phillips gave me a chance to stay around for a couple years.
I was really involved with school and activities during my time at Ben Davis. I was at that place 12 hours a day, five days a week. It was the center of my life. It's the place where I got my start in America, and the people in Indiana were so friendly.
My English wasn't that good at first, and I made mistakes, especially with the slang.
For the longest time, I thought 'my bad' was 'my bag.' I'd say, 'My bag' and no one would say anything.
When people ask me how I lasted so long, I tell them it was determination. I never stopped working hard, because I knew kickers were expendable. They'll slide your name out of that slot over your locker really fast and replace you if you don't get the job done.
It's always fun to pass the wisdom on to the next generation.
I have a deep appreciation and respect for what I discovered here in the United States of America.
The number of people who've been a part of my football life is staggering.
I have a deep love for the city of New Orleans and its football team.
I have great admiration of the spirit of the people of New Orleans. They love life and stay positive.
I was born in the kingdom of Denmark, the birthplace of famous Danish fairytale writer, Hans Christian Andersen. His magical stories have traveled the world, and just like he did, inspired young and old alike. When I was young, I often imagined the faraway places he described.
My story isn't only about my love for the country of Denmark and its people, but also my deep appreciation and respect for what I discovered here in the United States of America.
I truly have lived the American dream.
I will always be a part of New Orleans and I will always be a Saint.
American football was not on the radar at all for me.
The one, single most important thing that I've had throughout the years, throughout when it didn't look good, was will.
The pressure associated with important kicks is a perceived notion, something created by the fans and media. As long as I'm relaxed and at peace, then pressure is nonexistent.
There's a saying that I like. 'There are one billion Chinese people who couldn't care less about what I do.' My little egocentric endeavors are insignificant. They certainly don't change world events.
Goals are like apples in a tree. Some are a little higher than others, so you just have to jump higher.
I make sure to talk to my parents and brother once a week. I have to keep up my Danish. Phoning is easy, a quick fix.
I'm asked so many times if I'll move back to Denmark when my career is over. I don't know.
Waiting to try a crucial kick sets something off inside of me. I'll tell myself. My mother doesn't care about this field goal, my father doesn't care about this field goal, and my brother doesn't care about this field goal. Five million Danes don't care if I make this kick. Please. Let me go home.
I get extremely homesick.
The safe bet would have been to say, 'I'm just going to stay in Denmark,' but I don't think that was ever really in the DNA of our family to play the card that was always comfortable and safe.
If your ears and eyes are open to new possibilities and opportunities, they are right in front of you sometimes.
You've got to have a plan, have goals and have good people around you.
I feel my career has been three entities - one with the Saints, one with the Falcons and a third sort of career with the Giants and the Chiefs.
I'm a wine nerd.
I do mental training throughout the week. I take myself through specific game situations so when they come up I've rehearsed them.
I get acupuncture a couple of times a week, and I get massage therapy. They'll work the ankles, make sure they're not locked up. There are so many bones in the foot, you need to make sure they're all aligned.
It sounds geekish, I know, but to me, there's nothing better than the sound of a solidly hit ball.
When you try a 50-yarder in Pittsburgh in December, it's almost impossible. When you try a 50-yarder in a dome anytime, it's a lock if you kick it straight.
It's tougher, obviously, to kick in the wind and the rain.
When the game's on the line, I want to be out there, deciding it.
I love putting the exclamation point on a game.
I would argue that, besides the quarterback position, kickers affect the outcome of games more than anyone.
Danish values are something that I have always adhered to throughout my career in the U.S., and I'm happy to see Better Collective is applying those same values to the betting industry.
The one single most important thing I've had throughout the years, when it didn't look good, was will. Will to excel and will to do it for as long as I can, at the highest level.