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| Jason Hanson | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jason Hanson |
| Caption | Hanson in 2008 |
| Birth date | 17 June 1970 |
| Birth place | Spokane, Washington, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | 210 lb |
| Position | Placekicker |
| College | Washington State |
| Drafted | 1992 / Round: 2 / Pick: 56 |
| Pastteams | Detroit Lions (1992–2012) |
Jason Hanson (born June 17, 1970) is an American former professional placekicker who played 21 seasons with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Known for his longevity and accuracy, he is among the NFL's all-time leaders in points scored and field goals made, and he spent his entire career with one franchise. Hanson is a Washington State alumnus who was selected in the 1992 NFL Draft.
Hanson was born in Spokane, Washington and raised in the Pacific Northwest where he attended Mt. Spokane High School before transferring to Mead High School (Spokane). He participated in high school football as a specialist and developed kicking skills influenced by regional clubs and summer camps associated with the National Football League pipeline. Hanson later enrolled at Washington State University, joining the Washington State Cougars football program under head coach Mike Price.
At Washington State University, Hanson handled kicking duties for the Washington State Cougars and earned recognition in the Pac-10 Conference for his range and consistency. He completed a collegiate career that included field goals of significant distance and kickoff responsibilities, attracting attention from NFL scouts. Hanson entered the 1992 NFL Draft and was selected in the second round by the Detroit Lions, becoming one of the higher-drafted specialists that year.
Hanson began his professional tenure with the Detroit Lions in 1992 and remained with the franchise through the 2012 season, a span that included participation in regular seasons, playoff appearances, and interdivisional rivalries against teams such as the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings. He contributed to Lions teams coached by figures like Wayne Fontes, Bobby Ross, Steve Mariucci, Marty Mornhinweg, Jim Schwartz, and worked alongside quarterbacks including Barry Sanders during the 1990s and Matthew Stafford in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Hanson appeared in numerous NFC contests and postseason games, setting team records while maintaining durability across three decades.
Hanson's playing style emphasized accuracy, leg strength, and situational reliability. He converted field goals, extra points, and handled directional kickoffs with tactical placement and hang time to assist special teams units. Over his career he accrued scoring totals that placed him among NFL leaders in points scored and field goals made, earning selections to recognition lists alongside peers such as Morten Andersen, Adam Vinatieri, Gary Anderson, and Sebastian Janikowski. Hanson tied or set franchise records for consecutive games played, field goals, and points, and he achieved league milestones in games played and longevity.
Hanson is part of a family with ties to athletics and community involvement in Spokane, Washington and Detroit. He has been involved in charitable activities and community outreach programs in partnership with organizations and local initiatives in Michigan and Washington state. Hanson balanced professional obligations with family life and maintained connections to collegiate alumni networks at Washington State University.
After retiring following the 2012 season, Hanson pursued interests including broadcasting, sports instruction, and business ventures related to athletics and wellness. He provided kicking camps and private coaching drawing on experience from NFL practice routines and training methods commonly used by specialists. Hanson has appeared in media and public speaking engagements connected to former-player associations and charitable foundations such as club alumni events and community fundraising initiatives.
Hanson is remembered for franchise longevity with the Detroit Lions and for ranking among franchise and NFL leaders in kicking statistics. His career has been cited in discussions of specialist longevity and franchise loyalty, alongside other single-team veterans such as Franco Harris and Tony Gonzalez in broader NFL narratives. Honors include team records, recognition by the Lions' historical archives, and inclusion in statistical leaderboards maintained by NFL record keepers and sports-reference repositories.
Category:1970 births Category:Living people Category:American football placekickers Category:Detroit Lions players Category:Washington State Cougars football players Category:People from Spokane, Washington