Sebastian Janikowski, also known as Sea Bass and The Polish Cannon, was born on March 2, 1978 in Valbrich, Poland.  His father was a professional soccer player, and in 1980 he moved to the states in an attempt to revive his career. Sebastian was still in Poland with his mother and he began to excel at soccer. He was good enough to make to Poland U-17 team at age 15.

Janikowski only played five games for Orangewood Christian soccer team, but scored 15 goals and led them to the state championship, where they lost to Lakeland Christian. He attended Seabreeze High School in Daytona, Florida, where he played soccer and football. His father refused to move, so Sebastian lived with the soccer coach of the high school. He gained reputation quickly by kicking four 50+yard field goals, including a whopping 60 yarder. Witnesses state he successfully converted an 82-yard field goal at team practice. Named to the 1996 All-American team and heavily recruited, Janikowski eventually signing a football scholarship with Florida State University.

Janikowski took a scholarship to kick footballs for the Florida State Seminoles where teammate Peter Warrick dubbed him “Sea Bass”. He first made his name by booting his monstrous kickoffs between the opponent’s goal posts and out of the back of the end zone. He won the prestigious Lou Groza Award in 1998 and 1999, which was annually awarded to the top collegiate placekicker. He is the only player in NCAA history to win the award twice. He finished his collegiate career as the third leading scorer in Florida State University football history.