nbcsports
When the Carolina Panthers face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, long snapper JJ Jansen will etch his name into the NFL record book. The 40-year-old will appear in his 282nd career game, breaking a tie with Trey Junkin for the most games played by a long snapper in league history.
Jansen's journey to this milestone began at Notre Dame, where he handled long snapping duties. He signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2008 but spent his rookie season on injured reserve after seeing action only in the preseason. In 2009, the Panthers, in need of a long snapper, sent a conditional 2011 draft pick to Green Bay to acquire him. He has remained in Carolina ever since, appearing in all 281 of his games with the franchise.
Long snapping is a specialized skill that few master, and those who do often credit a mentor who guided them. For Jansen, that mentor was his father, a former high school long snapper. "I still remember we practiced in the same way every single time," Jansen told Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. "We had like a square piece of grass that was probably 20 yards by 20 yards. I'd stand at one end in front of a tree that was right in the middle. My dad would stand at 15 yards away, and I would snap it. We'd have those legendary long nights where you're good, and then you stink, and then you're good, and you stink, and you're mad at yourself because you stink, so you yell at your dad, and he's yelling back at you and, there's this whole, you know, boys and their fathers moments."
Among active players, Jansen ranks second in games played, trailing only Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell, who has appeared in 283 contests. If both players suit up for all 17 games this season, Campbell will end the year with 295 games, tying Darrell Green for the 16th-most in NFL history, while Jansen will have 294, good for 18th all-time.
Former Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson holds the NFL record for most games played with a single team at 327. Should Jansen continue to play every game for Carolina, he would surpass Hanson in the final game of the 2028 season. At 40, Jansen shows no signs of slowing down, and his durability and consistency have made him a fixture in Carolina for over a decade.
Key Analysis
Jansen's record is a testament to longevity and specialization in the NFL. Long snappers often go unnoticed, but their reliability is crucial to special teams success. Jansen's 282 consecutive games with the Panthers highlight his durability and the value of a consistent long snapper. As he approaches Hanson's record for most games with one team, Jansen's legacy as one of the most durable specialists in NFL history is secure.
Originally reported by nbcsports.