Who Are The Most Notable Norwegians to Have Played in the NFL?

Norway isn’t renowned for producing a high number of NFL athletes, and there have only been a few successful players from the Scandinavian country over the years. Those who made it at the top of the American football spectrum were able to help market the sport to Norway and its neighbours. Here are some of the most notable players over the years.

Kaare Vedvik

Norwegian people love a wide variety of sport, and having home-grown players to cheer for helps them have a vested interest. At the moment, the only Norwegian playing at the top of the NFL is Kaare Vedvik. The 26-year-old plays as a punter and placekicker for the Washington Football Team.

Along with spectatorship, there is also a big betting industry in the country for sports. This is similar to the love of staking on games in the USA. However, where the betting culture differs in Norway is that it goes way beyond sports. The casino sector there is also thriving. There are so many sites to choose from that players turn to the best online casino guides to find out where to play. The experts at CasinoTopplisten can guide you to the best places to find online depending on whether you focus on free spins or a start bonus for example.

Jan Stenerud

One of the best-known Norwegian NFL players was Jan Stenerud, who played as a placekicker for numerous franchises over the course of his glittering career. The towering football pro started at Kansas City Chiefs in 1967, and then later played for Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. He ended his career in 1985 with a plethora of awards and achievements.

Along with winning the Super Bowl in 1970, Stenerud also won four Pro Bowls. He was named in the NFL 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams and was the first placekicker to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Halvor Hagen

Halvor Hagen was around at the same time as Stenerud, but didn’t enjoy as much success as his fellow countryman. He spent seven years in the NFL before his star faded. The Oslo-born offensive tackle, began his career in 1969 with the Dallas Cowboys after being drafted in the third round. He then went on to play for the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills. In 1976 he signed for three separate teams but was traded during the off-season and ultimately released by the San Francisco 49ers in 1976.

Knute Rockne

Knute Rockne wasn’t one of the most memorable football players, but he did go down in history as one of the greatest coaches. He was a college football coach who spent the best part of 15 years with Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He is credited with making the forward pass popular, and also turning Notre Dame into a dominant force in college football.

There have been precious few Norwegian NFL players over the years, but those who did make it stateside were able to market the game in Norway. Nowadays, the sport has a substantial following in Scandinavia.