In the NFL, there are plenty of rules and strategies that fans and players know by heart. But some aspects of the game are so rare, they can almost feel like a forgotten relic. One such rule is the fair-catch free kick, a play that hadn’t been successfully executed in 48 years—until a Chargers kicker made NFL history on Thursday night. This unexpected moment not only sparked excitement among fans but also set a new record, beating a milestone that had stood for decades.
But what exactly is a fair-catch free kick, and why is it so rare? Let’s dive into the fascinating history of this unusual rule, how it almost disappeared from the game, and what Thursday’s kick means for the NFL.
Table of Contents
| Sr# | Headings |
|---|---|
| 1 | What is a Fair-Catch Free Kick? |
| 2 | A Brief History of Fair-Catch Free Kicks |
| 3 | Ray Wersching’s Record-Breaking Kick in 1976 |
| 4 | The Drought: 9 Missed Fair-Catch Kicks |
| 5 | The Last Successful Attempt Before 2024 |
| 6 | Mark Moseley’s Wild Attempt in 1979 |
| 7 | Fred Steinfort and the 73-Yard Attempt |
| 8 | The Role of the Kicker: Skills and Strategy |
| 9 | Why is the Fair-Catch Free Kick So Rare? |
| 10 | Cameron Dicker’s 57-Yard Kick: A Historic Moment |
| 11 | The Significance of Dicker’s Record-Breaking Kick |
| 12 | The Rule Behind the Fair-Catch Free Kick |
| 13 | Could We See More Fair-Catch Kicks in the Future? |
| 14 | How the Fair-Catch Free Kick Could Change the Game |
| 15 | The Fans’ Reaction to the Historic Kick |
What is a Fair-Catch Free Kick?
In simple terms, a fair-catch free kick is a rare play in the NFL that allows a team to attempt a field goal without the usual snap and hold. Here’s how it works: after a kickoff, if a player calls for a fair catch, they can opt to attempt a kick from the spot where the fair catch was made. The opposing team must remain 10 yards away, and the kicker has a free shot at the goalposts. It’s one of the oddest and most unusual plays in football.
A Brief History of Fair-Catch Free Kicks
The fair-catch free kick has been around since 1921. The first successful attempt came from Curly Lambeau, the legendary Green Bay Packers founder and coach, who made a 35-yard kick. Over the years, the play has popped up a handful of times, though not often. The most memorable kicks from history are those that came close but missed.
Ray Wersching’s Record-Breaking Kick in 1976
In 1976, Ray Wersching, the kicker for the San Diego Chargers, changed the game with a 45-yard fair-catch free kick that went through the goalposts. This was the last successful attempt for nearly half a century, setting a milestone for future kickers. But after this remarkable kick, the fair-catch free kick became a rare and almost mythical occurrence.
The Drought: 9 Missed Fair-Catch Kicks
After Wersching’s kick in 1976, fair-catch free kicks became less common. In fact, nine consecutive attempts failed, including during postseason games. It was clear that the chances of seeing a successful fair-catch free kick were slim. As time went on, football fans began to see it as an almost forgotten rule.
The Last Successful Attempt Before 2024
Before Thursday night, the last successful fair-catch free kick happened all the way back in 1976. But it was a long road before that, with some remarkable—and often absurd—attempts along the way. One of the most memorable came in 1979 when Mark Moseley, the 1982 NFL MVP, tried a 74-yard free kick. Moseley’s attempt was a wild long shot, and to make it even more impressive, he kicked it as a straight-on kicker, a rare style in the modern NFL.
Mark Moseley’s Wild Attempt in 1979
The 74-yard free kick attempted by Mark Moseley is one of the most audacious moments in NFL history. Moseley, known for his kicking accuracy, attempted the longest fair-catch free kick ever at the time. However, his attempt missed, and the fair-catch free kick continued to fade into the background of NFL lore.
Fred Steinfort and the 73-Yard Attempt
The following year, in 1980, Fred Steinfort of the Denver Broncos tried a 73-yard fair-catch free kick. Like Moseley’s, Steinfort’s attempt was another reminder of how difficult this play is to convert. The NFL’s rule for fair-catch free kicks made them a rare opportunity—and one that, more often than not, resulted in failure.
The Role of the Kicker: Skills and Strategy
Kickers are known for their precision and calm under pressure, but even the best face an uphill battle with the fair-catch free kick. Unlike a normal field goal attempt, the kicker has no snap or hold, which changes the rhythm and mechanics of the kick. The kicker must also make sure they’re accurate from longer distances, which adds extra pressure to the already challenging task.
Why is the Fair-Catch Free Kick So Rare?
There are several reasons why the fair-catch free kick is such a rare event in the NFL. For one, teams typically have more strategic plays to move the ball down the field. The fair-catch free kick, while available, is often seen as a low-percentage play. Additionally, the kicker must rely on perfect conditions, from the spot of the fair catch to the exact distance needed to make the kick.
Cameron Dicker’s 57-Yard Kick: A Historic Moment
On Thursday night, something unexpected happened. Cameron Dicker, a young kicker for the Chargers, successfully made a 57-yard fair-catch free kick, cutting the Broncos’ lead from 21-10 to 21-13. This 57-yard attempt not only broke the record for the longest fair-catch free kick but also marked the first successful fair-catch free kick in nearly five decades. Fans and analysts were stunned by Dicker’s calmness and ability to nail the kick under pressure.
The Significance of Dicker’s Record-Breaking Kick
Dicker’s 57-yard kick was significant not just for the record it set but for the impact it had on the game. The Chargers were struggling to gain momentum, and the three points provided a spark that kept them in the game. It’s rare for a special teams play to provide such a crucial shift in momentum, but this fair-catch free kick did just that.
The Rule Behind the Fair-Catch Free Kick
While it may seem like an oddity, the fair-catch free kick is still part of the NFL rulebook today. It offers a team a chance to score points without the usual offense-driven setup. The play is rooted in the early days of football but remains a quirky relic in the modern game. Fans of the NFL often forget about this rule, but when it works, it can create unforgettable moments.
Could We See More Fair-Catch Kicks in the Future?
Given that Dicker’s kick came out of nowhere, it begs the question: Could we see more fair-catch free kicks in the future? It’s unlikely that this play will become a common strategy, but with special teams coaches constantly searching for creative ways to break open a game, the fair-catch free kick could make a comeback in future seasons—though it will always remain a rare and fascinating option.
How the Fair-Catch Free Kick Could Change the Game
If more kickers find success with fair-catch free kicks, it could change the way teams approach special teams. The ability to quickly score from a free kick could force teams to rethink how they manage kickoffs and fair catches. As the NFL continues to evolve, the fair-catch free kick could become an interesting wrinkle in team strategy.
The Fans’ Reaction to the Historic Kick
When Dicker made his 57-yard fair-catch free kick, the reaction from fans was pure excitement. For many, it felt like witnessing a moment of NFL history. The rarity of the play and the importance of the kick created an unforgettable atmosphere in the stadium and across the NFL world.
Conclusion
The fair-catch free kick is one of the NFL’s most unique and rarely used rules. While it had been nearly 50 years since the last successful attempt, Cameron Dicker’s 57-yard kick on Thursday night has brought this quirky play back into the spotlight. Whether or not we’ll see more of these kicks remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the fair-catch free kick will forever be a fascinating part of NFL history.
FAQs
- What is a fair-catch free kick in the NFL? A fair-catch free kick is a rare play where a kicker attempts a field goal after a fair catch, without the usual snap and hold.
- Who holds the record for the longest fair-catch free kick? Cameron Dicker holds the record with a 57-yard fair-catch free kick, set in 2024.
- How often is a fair-catch free kick successful? Fair-catch free kicks are extremely rare, with only a handful of successful attempts in NFL history.
- Why are fair-catch free kicks so rarely attempted? The play is considered low-percentage, and teams typically have more effective strategies for scoring.
- Could we see more fair-catch free kicks in the future? While unlikely, creative coaching and special teams strategies could lead to more attempts in the coming seasons.
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