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Janikowski retiring after 19 years in NFL

Seattle Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski smiles as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 27-24. Photo: Associated Press/Ted S. Warren


Former Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski is set to retire after a 19-year career.

Janikowski spent 17 seasons with Oakland before kicking last season with Seattle after signing a one-year deal. Janikowski’s agent, Paul Healy, confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday that his client intends to retire. Janikowski, 41, told ESPN over the weekend he didn’t believe his body could handle kicking in the NFL anymore.

The Raiders took Janikowski with the 17th overall pick in the 2000 draft out of Florida State. Nicknamed “Seabass,” Janikowski converted 80.4% of his field goal attempts during his career, including a career long of 63 yards during the 2011 season, the only time he was selected for the Pro Bowl. The kick at the time matched the NFL record for longest field goal made.

Janikowski was synonymous with the Raiders during his tenure in Oakland. He played in 268 regular-season games for the Raiders and made more than 30 field goals in three straight seasons from 2010-12, including a league-high 33 in 2010.

Janikowski missed the entire 2017 season due to a back injury and his final season in Seattle was the first time he kicked anywhere other than Oakland. Janikowski had some conversations with the Chargers about kicking last season in Los Angeles, but he decided Seattle was the better opportunity. Janikowski was 22 of 27 on field goals in his one season with Seattle, but hit three game winners.

Janikowski is 10th in career points scored with 1,913, ninth in career field goals made with 436 and 16th in career games with 284. He was a second-team AP All-Pro selection in 2011.

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