THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Kicker Morten Andersen, the NFL's all-time leading scorer, is retiring because of knee problems.

The 48-year-old Dane, who scored 2,544 points during his 25-year career, played for the Atlanta Falcons the last two seasons but wasn't able to get a contract this year. Andersen said Monday he has given up his search and his NFL career.

"I realized I no longer can train in an optimal way because of my knees," Andersen said. "So I am retiring."

Andersen said that his knees were worn out after so many years as a professional player.

"It's not that I cannot kick, play golf or go bicycling, but it's not the same anymore," he said.

Andersen said that being a member of the Falcons when the team reached the Super Bowl in 1999 "was the culmination. It was the pinnacle of my career."

The Falcons advanced to their only Super Bowl after the 1998 season when Andersen's 38-yard field goal beat the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC title game. Atlanta lost the Super Bowl to the Denver Broncos.

Andersen became the leading scorer in NFL history on Dec. 17, 2006, during the Falcons' 38-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

He kicked for five NFL teams in 25 years, including 13 seasons for the New Orleans Saints, eight for the Falcons, two for the Kansas City Chiefs and one season each with the New York Giants and the Vikings.

A Copenhagen native, Andersen went to the U.S. in 1977 as an exchange student and played college football for Michigan State.

He said he decided to announce his retirement in Denmark because of the support he has received at home. Although the NFL gets modest coverage in the Scandinavian country, Andersen's record-breaking career has been a top sports story in Danish media.