Inside the Loud House
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Syracuse Football: Best non-first round SU picks in NFL Draft history

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

23 Jan 1994: Running back Daryl Johnston of the Dallas Cowboys (right) gets tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive back Don Griffin during a playoff game at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys won the game, 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell
23 Jan 1994: Running back Daryl Johnston of the Dallas Cowboys (right) gets tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive back Don Griffin during a playoff game at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys won the game, 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /
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16. . . . Gary Anderson. 3. team

  • Seventh round pick (171st overall) in the 1982 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
  • Played for Syracuse from 1979 through 1981.

I will start this off by saying kickers are people too. I’m also sure you didn’t know that Gary Anderson was the first South African player to ever play in a NFL game. But the other cool thing about kickers is because the position is less taxing physically, you can usually play for a long time. In Anderson’s case, he played 23 seasons in his career for six different teams.

There are a few kickers/punters in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Gary Anderson should make the cut. Syracuse reigns supreme in that category and they could use some more in there. Only Morten Anderson and George Blanda had longer tenures in the pros and both of them are in the Hall of Fame.

While some players on this list will be remembered for one outstanding play in their careers, the same goes for Anderson. Although it wasn’t outstanding in a good way. It started out good though because Anderson became the first kicker in NFL History to have a perfect season in 1998.

He converted every field goal and every extra point in the regular season. Sadly that was overshadowed by the THE MISS in the 1998 NFC Championship game. Many still say to this day that the Minnesota Vikings team in 1998 was the best team to never win a Super Bowl. For better or for worse, Vikings fans still blame Anderson for not making the Super Bowl.

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