Sean Edward Landeta (born January 6, 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland) is a former American football punter who played in both the USFL and the National Football League.

A native of Towson, Maryland, Landeta started his professional career with three seasons in the USFL (1983-85) starring for the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars. Landeta then joined the National Football League playing for the New York Giants (1985-93, and 2006), Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (1993-96, and 2003-04), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997), Green Bay Packers (1998), and Philadelphia Eagles (1999-2002, and 2005).

He played 25 seasons in professional football, including 22 in the NFL, and owns an unmatched streak of 17 straight seasons with a punting average of over 42-yards. Among NFL players with 1,000 career punts, he ranks second only to Rohn Stark on the NFL’s all-time list with 43.3 yard average. As a punter, Landeta finishes behind only Jeff Feagles in games played (284), number of punts (1,401), punting yards (60,706), and punts inside the 20 (381). He is the all-time leading punter in terms of average (minimum 250 punts) for three NFL teams – Giants (43.4), Rams (44.1), and Eagles (42.8) – something no other punter in NFL history can claim. He led the NFL in net average in 1989 (37.8), inside the 20 punts in 1990 (24), gross average in 1994 (44.8), number of punts in 1999 (107), and punting yards in 2001 (4,221).

Landeta played on two USFL Championships with the Stars (1983 and 1984) and two Super Bowl Champions with the Giants (XXI and XXV). Over his 25 pro seasons, Landeta’s teams made the playoff 15 times. Sean’s individual honors include five all-pro selections, three first-team All-NFL honors, and two Pro Bowl berths following the 1986 and 1990 seasons; he was named the punter on the All-USFL team, the St. Louis Rams 10th Anniversary team, the Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary team, and ESPN’s 40th Anniversary Super Bowl team. Landeta was one of only eight players to be named to the NFL’s all-decade team in both the 1980’s and 1990’s along with Reggie White, Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice, Gary Zimmerman, Bruce Smith, Gary Andersen, and Morten Anderson.
Landeta played for 11 head coaches in his career including the following who have led their teams to Super Bowl appearances - Bill Parcells, Dan Reeves, Tony Dungy, Mike Holmgren, Andy Reid, Mike Martz, and Tom Coughlin.

Landeta was the last active NFL player who played in the United States Football League of the 1980s. Landeta was also the last active player who appeared in the popular 1988 NES video game Tecmo Bowl. Landeta was also the last active player on the New York Giants 1986 and 1990 Super Bowl teams.

High school career

At Loch Raven High School in Towson, Maryland, Landeta was an All-City and All-Metro punter as a senior.

College career

While at Towson from 1979-82, Landeta was a four-year starter and letterman and a three-time All Eastern College Athletic Conference selection.  He was the nation’s leading punter among players at Division II schools in 1980 with a 43.4 yard average, and also led the country in field goals with 14.  He was named a Kodak Division II All-American and AP Little All-American following his senior campaign.

Sean Landeta was inducted into the College Football Division II Hall of Fame in 2006 which is located at Braly Municipal Stadium, in Florence, Alabama. Braly Municipal Stadium has hosted the Division II Football Championship Game since 1986.

Return to Big Blue

On December 2, 2006, the New York Giants signed Landeta as an insurance policy when punter Jeff Feagles developed a sore right knee. Landeta was assigned jersey number 5—the same number he wore during his first tenure with the Giants. He appeared on the sidelines against the Dallas Cowboys on December 3, as Feagles appeared in his 300th NFL game, but Landeta remained inactive, and was released on December 6.
On March 6, 2008, Sean officially annouced his retirement from football. “I chose this day for a good reason,” said the 46-year old Landeta at the time. “First, on this day in 1983 is when it all started for me. On this date in 1997, my son Joey was born. Retirement is just another great thing to happen for me on March 6. This will be a great day for me to remember throughout my lifetime. As far as my future is concerned, I’ve had the opportunity to stay close to the game through the media, personal appearances, and speaking engagements. Hopefully this will continue.”