The Strange Downfall of Sebastian Janikowski, How it Ended was Sad… | HO

Sebastian Janikowski’s journey to the NFL was anything but smooth, as he made headlines for all the wrong reasons long before he ever stepped onto the professional field. His troubles began with a notorious incident outside a bar, where he got into a fight that led to charges of battery.

But that was just the beginning, Janikowski thrived on a wild lifestyle filled with partying, often pushing the limits and even attempting to bribe police officers to escape the consequences of his actions!

Sebastian Janikowski, known for his powerful leg and incredible ability to kick field goals from distances most kickers would only dream of, had a career filled with remarkable highs and troubling lows. His journey to becoming one of the most well-known kickers in NFL history was anything but conventional, as his off-field antics often overshadowed his on-field accomplishments. The strange downfall of Sebastian Janikowski, culminating in a bittersweet retirement, is a story of talent, controversy, resilience, and eventual physical decline.

Sebastian Janikowski’s path to the NFL started in Poland, where he was born and raised until his family emigrated to the United States when he was a teenager. His soccer background gave him a natural talent for kicking, and it wasn’t long before he was spotted by football coaches. After a standout high school career, Janikowski attended Florida State University, where he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most powerful and accurate kickers in college football.

Despite his talent, Janikowski’s time at Florida State was marred by off-field controversies. His issues began in August 1998 when he was involved in a fight outside a bar in Tallahassee, leading to charges of failure to leave the premises. While that charge was relatively minor, it set the stage for more troubling behavior. After a victory against their rival Florida Gators, Janikowski found himself in another altercation, this time resulting in a battery charge.

However, it was a 2000 incident that truly raised eyebrows among NFL scouts. After one of Janikowski’s high school friends was arrested during a night out, Janikowski allegedly attempted to bribe the arresting officer. His claim was that he believed he could pay a fine to get his friend released, but it was seen as an attempted bribe. Though the charges were eventually dropped, this incident, along with his hard-partying lifestyle, cast a shadow over his potential NFL career.

Despite his off-field troubles, Janikowski’s kicking talent was undeniable, and the Oakland Raiders took a chance on him by selecting him as the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. This decision made Janikowski one of only five kickers ever selected in the first round, a testament to how highly the Raiders valued his leg.

His rookie season, however, was rocky. He only made 68.8% of his field goal attempts, which was disappointing for such a highly drafted player. Nonetheless, he converted all 46 of his extra point attempts, showing glimpses of his potential. By the following season, Janikowski had improved significantly, converting 82.1% of his field goals.

Janikowski’s big break came in 2002 when he helped the Raiders reach the Super Bowl. Although they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his performance solidified his place as one of the league’s premier kickers.

As Janikowski’s career progressed, so did his reputation as one of the strongest legs in the NFL. In 2003, he tied the NFL record by making four field goals in a single quarter. The Raiders rewarded him in 2004 with a five-year, $10.5 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history at the time. He would go on to break his own record in 2010, signing another four-year extension worth $16 million.

Throughout the mid-2000s, Janikowski continued to impress with his kicking prowess, setting records for the longest field goals attempted and made. On November 4, 2007, he attempted a 64-yard field goal, which would have broken the NFL record at the time. Though it hit the upright and missed, it was a testament to his incredible range. In 2008, he attempted an even more ambitious 76-yard field goal, the longest attempt in NFL history, though it too was unsuccessful.

Janikowski also set a team record for the longest overtime field goal with a 57-yarder in 2008 and tied the NFL record for the longest field goal with a 63-yarder in 2011. Despite his successes, his career remained punctuated by controversies and inconsistencies, both in terms of performance and his conduct off the field.

As Janikowski entered the latter part of his career, his performances remained impressive, but age and injuries began to take a toll. By 2017, back issues had become a recurring problem for the aging kicker. After taking a pay cut that season, Janikowski was placed on injured reserve on September 9, 2017, with persistent back problems.

This injury would mark the beginning of the end for Janikowski’s time with the Raiders. On February 14, 2018, the Raiders announced they would not be re-signing him, bringing an end to his 18-year tenure with the team. It was a bittersweet departure for the player who had become the Raiders’ all-time leading scorer with 1,799 points.

Despite his release from the Raiders, Janikowski wasn’t ready to retire. On April 13, 2018, he signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks, hoping for one last shot at glory. He earned the starting kicker position and put together a solid season, converting 48 of 51 extra point attempts and 22 of 27 field goals.

However, Janikowski’s final game would prove to be a sad ending to an illustrious career. During a wildcard playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys on January 5, 2019, Janikowski missed a 57-yard field goal attempt. Worse yet, he injured his hamstring on the same kick, leaving the Seahawks without a reliable kicker for the rest of the game. The Seahawks were forced to rely on rookie punter Michael Dixon, who missed an onside kick that could have given them a chance to win.

After this disappointing playoff loss, Janikowski decided to retire from the NFL. On April 28, 2019, he announced his retirement after 19 years in the league.

Sebastian Janikowski’s strange and tumultuous journey through the NFL will always be remembered for both his remarkable kicking talent and his off-field controversies. By the time he retired, Janikowski had cemented his place as one of the greatest kickers in NFL history. His powerful leg set records, and he finished his career as the all-time leading scorer for the Raiders.

But for all the records and accomplishments, his career ended on a somewhat sad note. His body, once able to handle kicking from unbelievable distances, finally gave out on him, and his final moments on the field were marked by injury and disappointment. Nonetheless, Janikowski’s legacy as a kicker will endure, a testament to his unique combination of power, resilience, and unpredictability.