Cameron Dicker, a standout for the Los Angeles Chargers, etched his name into the NFL history books on Thursday night by successfully executing the first fair-catch kick since 1976. The impressive feat occurred just before halftime against the Denver Broncos, with Dicker’s kick sailing through the uprights from an impressive 57 yards out.
Dicker and the Chargers capitalized on a unique and rarely seen play known as the fair-catch kick. This rule allows a team that has just made a fair catch to attempt a free kick for a valuable three points. The kick is taken from the line of scrimmage, with defenders required to stand 10 yards away, providing a challenging yet intriguing opportunity for the kicking team.
The fair-catch kick is a seldom-used strategy in the NFL, with teams rarely encountering situations that make it a viable option. Prior to Dicker’s successful attempt, only five NFL teams had dared to try this unconventional play in the 21st century. The last player to achieve such a kick was Ray Wersching, who accomplished the feat for the San Diego Chargers nearly five decades ago.
In addition to breaking a long-standing NFL record for the fair-catch kick, Dicker’s 57-yard field goal now stands as the longest in league history. This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous record set by Paul Hornung with a 52-yarder for the Green Bay Packers back in 1964.
The opportunity for this historic kick arose when Denver’s Tremon Smith was penalized for fair-catch interference on what would have been the final play of the first half. Derius Davis of the Chargers attempted to field a punt at their own 38-yard line, but the penalty moved the ball to the Denver 47 for an untimed down, setting the stage for Dicker’s monumental kick.
With the guidance of Chargers’ head coach Jim Harbaugh, who had only attempted a fair-catch kick once before in his NFL coaching career, Dicker confidently stepped up to the challenge. With J.K. Scott holding the ball steady, Dicker delivered a flawless kick that sailed through the uprights, securing a crucial three points for the Chargers.
The last recorded fair-catch kick in the NFL took place in 2019 when Carolina’s Joey Slye attempted a 60-yarder in a game held in London. Harbaugh himself had an earlier attempt with the San Francisco 49ers in 2013, but the kick fell short from 71 yards right before halftime.
The rarity of the fair-catch kick in the NFL stems from the infrequency of fair catches occurring within typical field goal range. In this particular instance, the Broncos’ punt would have left the Chargers well beyond Dicker’s kicking distance. However, Smith’s penalty presented a unique opportunity that Dicker seized upon, showcasing his skill and composure under pressure.
