When Florida State absolutely, positively needed a long field goal from anywhere on the field, to take the lead or win the game, they trotted out No. 38, Sebastian Janikowski.
When No. 38 of Florida State trotted out to attempt a field goal or PAT, Sebastian Janikowski was money in the bank.
The left-footed assassin was the dagger to heart personified, with his powerful left leg being the equalizer, driving the Seminoles to victory.
On August 29, before kicking off the season opener against New Mexico State, Janikowski’s No. 38 jersey will be officially retired by Florida State. Janikowski is one of only 13 Florida State players to have their jersey retired.
Born in Poland, Janikowski started his sports career as a talented soccer player. He later immigrated to the United States and entered high school at Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. Janikowski continued his soccer pursuits, but was later recruited by the football coach.
Playing American football for only three years, Janikowski made his presence felt immediately. He kicked four field goals pf over 50 yards, including a 60-yarder. At the time, that was third-best in the storied history of Florida high school football. Janikowski once kicked an 82-yard field goal in a high school practice.
In 1996, Janikowski was named USA Today High School All-America and was heavily-recruited by all the top programs in college football, but he could not resist the recruiting pitch from the late, great Bobby Bowden. Janikowski suited up for the Seminoles for three seasons from 1997-1999.
As the only two-time winner of the Lou Groza Award, presented to the nation’s top kicker in college football, Janikowski has booted himself into gridiron immortality.
In his first season in Tallahassee, Janikowski earned Freshman All-America honors and set a school record for longest field goal, a booming 56-yarder against Wake Forest.
During his sophomore season of 1998, Janikowski kicked 27 field goals and notched 123 points in the scoring column, setting Florida State and ACC records in a season.
In the national championship season of 1999, Janikowski was yet another nail in the coffin of Seminoles opponents as he converted 47-of-47 extra point attempts, and made 23 field goals, which led the NCAA. He also led the nation in points scored with 116 as the Seminoles hoisted the trophy as the kings of college football.
At 6-foot-1, 260 pounds, Janikowski was built like a linebacker or undersized defensive lineman. He owns the school career record for field goal percentage at 84.4 percent. In addition, Janikowski is second in school history in field goals made of 50+ yards with five. And, Janikowski is third all-time at Florida State in points scored with 324.
As one of only five kickers ever to be drafted in the first round, Janikowski was selected No. 17 overall in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. Janikowski is the Raiders all-time leading scorer with 1,799 points after playing 18 seasons with the team. He was named to the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro in 2011.
For his NFL career that also included one season with the Seattle Seahawks, Janikowski made 436 field goals, with a long of 63 yards. He posted a career field goal percentage of 80.4 percent and scored a total of 1,913 points.
In 2025, Janikowski was named first-team Associated Press (AP) All-Time All-American. He is also on the 2027 ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame. In addition, Janikoswki was inducted into the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013, and named to the All-ACC 50th Anniversary Team.
No. 38 struck fear in opponents in close games, as no lead was safe. All the opposition could do was stand in disbelief as Janikowski pierced the uprights from seemingly anywhere on the field, giving the Seminoles the lead, and ultimately, a victory.
