Sebastian Janikowski will join elite Florida State company later this month.
On Aug. 29, the Seminoles will retire the longtime NFL kicker’s No. 38 jersey during their 2026 season opener against New Mexico State. Janikowski will become the 13th player in program history to receive the honor.
Known for his strong left leg, Janikowski developed into a legend before even reaching the college ranks. As a senior at Seabreeze High School, he cranked five field goals of 50 yards or more, including a 60-yarder against Palatka. That was believed to be the longest ever in Volusia County and second longest in FHSAA history.
He also starred on the soccer field for the Sandcrabs, establishing a new state record with 73 goals.
Janikowski continued to do unprecedented things after arriving in Tallahassee. He remains the only two-time winner of the Lou Groza Award, which is presented annually to the country’s best kicker.
As a freshman in 1997, he broke the FSU record with a 56-yard field goal. As a sophomore, he snapped the ACC single-season record by making 27 field goals. Finally, as a junior, he led the nation with 23 field goals and helped the Seminoles claim the second national title in program history.
During his three-year career, he converted 66 of his 83 field-goal attempts. He was inducted into the school’s athletics hall of fame in 2013.
The Oakland Raiders selected Janikowski 17th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He is one of only five kickers ever chosen in the first round, and he is still the most recent.
He stayed with the Raiders for 17 years, etching his name atop the franchise’s all-time made field goals list with 414. Maybe the most notable: a 63-yarder that tied the league record in 2011.
Janikowski retired after suiting up for one final season with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Sebastian Janikowski to receive special honor from FSU football
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