Cameron Dicker of the Los Angeles Chargers made NFL history on Thursday night by successfully executing the first fair-catch kick since 1976. Dicker nailed a remarkable 57-yard field goal just before halftime against the Denver Broncos, showcasing an extremely rare play in professional football.
The fair-catch kick allows a team that’s just made a fair catch to attempt a kick from the line of scrimmage for three points, while the opposing players must stand 10 yards away. This play is seldom utilized, mainly because teams rarely find themselves in a position conducive to attempting it.
Before Dicker’s successful attempt, the last fair-catch kick recorded in the NFL was by Ray Wersching, who kicked a 45-yarder for the San Diego Chargers almost five decades ago. Dicker’s 57-yarder also set a new record for the longest fair-catch kick in NFL history, surpassing the previous best of 52 yards by Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers in 1964.
The unusual play was set up when the Broncos’ Tremon Smith committed fair-catch interference, allowing the Chargers to move the ball to the Denver 47-yard line for an untimed down. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh called a timeout before opting to attempt the fair-catch kick for the second time in his coaching career, and Dicker delivered flawlessly.
Historically, fair-catch kicks are rare since most fair catches occur outside of typical field-goal range. The last attempted fair-catch kick before Dicker’s was in 2019, when Caroline’s Joey Slye missed from 60 yards, and Harbaugh had also unsuccessfully tried one in 2013 during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers.
This successful kick underscores the unique possibilities that can arise in football, and Dicker’s impressive performance not only highlights his skills but also brings excitement and a touch of unpredictability to the game. The NFL continues to surprise fans with its rich history and unexpected feats, leaving room for more memorable moments in the future.
In summary, Cameron Dicker’s monumental kick is a reminder of the charm of football, where records can be broken in the most unexpected ways.