Longest Field Goal - NFL History

There's something truly special about watching a football sail through the air, especially when it's kicked from way, way back on the field. That feeling, you know, when the ball goes up and everyone holds their breath, hoping it will make it through the uprights? It’s a moment that can totally shift how a game feels, and sometimes, it even makes history.

These really far kicks, the ones that stretch the limits of what a person can do with their leg, are pretty much some of the most exciting things you can see in the sport. They show off incredible skill and a kind of power that just leaves you amazed. So, we're talking about those times when a kicker just sends it, and it goes the distance, changing everything in a snap, as a matter of fact.

Over the years, a few remarkable people have stepped up to try and make these kicks, with some actually setting marks that stood for a very long stretch of time. The record for the longest field goal has moved from one amazing player to another, each one pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible. It's a pretty interesting story, you know, how these records get made and then eventually broken by someone else with a really strong leg.

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Table of Contents

• Who is Justin Tucker and His Record-Breaking Longest Field Goal?
• How Did Tom Dempsey Hold the Longest Field Goal Record for So Long?
• Why Are Longest Field Goals So Rare in the NFL?
• What Happens with Longest Field Goal Misses?
• The Journey of the Longest Field Goal Record Over Time
• Every NFL Team's Longest Field Goal
• Brandon Aubrey and His Bid for the Longest Field Goal
• What About the Longest Field Goal in NFL Playoff History?
• A Look Back at These Kicks

Who is Justin Tucker and His Record-Breaking Longest Field Goal?

When you think about kickers who really stand out, Justin Tucker's name pretty much comes to mind right away. He's known for being incredibly good at what he does, and honestly, he's made some kicks that seem almost impossible. In 2021, he did something that put his name right at the very top of the record books, and it was quite a moment for everyone watching, you know.

On a particular day in September of that year, playing for the Baltimore Ravens against the Detroit Lions, Justin Tucker kicked a football from an amazing distance. It was a 66-yard field goal, and when it went through the uprights, it became the longest field goal ever made in the history of the NFL. That's a really far way to kick a ball, basically, and it happened at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. It was a pretty big deal, actually, for the whole sport.

This kick wasn't just a regular kick; it was a moment that people will talk about for a long, long time. It showed what a person can do when they have incredible skill and a powerful leg. He really just sent it, and it sailed perfectly. It's a great example of how one single play can make a person a legend in the sport, as a matter of fact.

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How Did Tom Dempsey Hold the Longest Field Goal Record for So Long?

Before Justin Tucker made his mark, there was another kicker whose name was pretty much synonymous with the longest field goal for a very, very long time. That person was Tom Dempsey, who played for the New Orleans Saints. His kick was legendary, and it stood as the record for an incredible four decades. Think about that for a second, you know, forty years is a really long stretch of time for any sports record to stay unbroken.

Tom Dempsey's kick was from 63 yards out, and he made it way back in 1970. What makes his story even more remarkable is that he kicked with a special shoe on his kicking foot, which was different from what most players used. This kick, for many years, was the one everyone looked up to as the ultimate example of a long field goal. It showed what was possible, even with equipment that might seem a little different by today's standards, as a matter of fact.

For forty years, anyone who talked about the longest field goal in NFL history would always mention Tom Dempsey. His name was just tied to that record. It really goes to show how truly special his kick was, that it could hold up for such an extended period, through so many seasons and so many other talented kickers. It's a testament to his skill and, well, a bit of luck too, perhaps.

Why Are Longest Field Goals So Rare in the NFL?

You might wonder why we don't see these incredibly long field goals happening all the time, especially with how strong players are today. The simple truth is, they are incredibly difficult to make. The NFL has only seen a very small number of successful kicks from 62 yards or further. We're talking about only 17 times in all of history that someone has made a field goal from that kind of distance, you know. That's a pretty tiny number when you think about all the games played.

Making a field goal from that far away requires a perfect combination of things. You need a kicker with an exceptionally powerful leg, obviously, but also the ball has to be placed just right, the snap has to be good, and the hold needs to be spot-on. Then there's the wind, the weather, and even the altitude that can play a part. It's a very precise operation, and if any little piece is off, the kick probably won't make it, as a matter of fact.

Because of all these elements, coaches usually don't even try for these really long kicks unless they are in a desperate situation, like at the very end of a game. The odds of making one are just not very high, so it's a huge risk to take. That's why when one actually goes through, it's such a big deal and everyone remembers it, you know, because it doesn't happen very often at all.

What Happens with Longest Field Goal Misses?

When a kicker tries for a really long field goal and misses, you might think there's a chance for the other team to catch the ball and run it back, kind of like a punt return. But that's usually not how it works with field goals, especially the ones from far away. If a field goal attempt has enough power to go the distance but just misses the uprights, like it goes wide or hits the crossbar, the ball automatically becomes "dead." This means the play is over right there, and no one can run it back, you know.

Returns on field goal attempts are pretty rare in the NFL. They can happen, but only if the kick is short, meaning it doesn't even reach the end zone or the goal line. In those cases, the other team might have a chance to catch it. However, if the kick is short, the player who catches it will almost always just decide to down the ball right where they catch it. This is because it gives their team a better starting spot for their next offensive play, rather than risking a return that might not go anywhere or could even lead to a fumble, as a matter of fact.

So, for those really long field goal attempts, like the ones that could be the longest field goal ever, if they don't go in, they typically just end the play. There's no dramatic return, no big chase down the field. It's just a missed kick, and the ball is dead, and the next play starts from where the kick happened. It's a pretty straightforward rule, really, to keep things clear.

The Journey of the Longest Field Goal Record Over Time

The record for the longest field goal hasn't always been held by Justin Tucker, nor did it start with Tom Dempsey. It's something that has slowly, over many years, stretched further and further. Each time a kicker broke the record, they pushed the limits of what was thought possible in the sport. It's a very interesting way to see how the game itself has changed, and how players have gotten stronger and more precise with their kicks, you know.

We saw Tom Dempsey hold that record for a really long time, which was a huge deal. His 63-yard kick was the standard for what felt like forever. People probably thought that was as far as anyone could ever kick it in a real game. But, as with most records in sports, someone eventually comes along who can do just a little bit more. It shows how athletes are always trying to improve and how the training and understanding of the sport keep getting better, as a matter of fact.

Then, when Justin Tucker made his 66-yard kick, it wasn't just a new number; it was a moment that showed the evolution of kicking in the NFL. It pushed the boundary even further, setting a new mark for future kickers to aim for. It's a clear line from Dempsey to Tucker, showing how the record for the longest field goal has been a story of constant progression and amazing athletic feats.

Every NFL Team's Longest Field Goal

While we talk a lot about the absolute longest field goal in NFL history, it's also worth remembering that every single team in the league has its own record for the longest kick made by one of its players. These team records might not be 66 yards, but they are still incredibly impressive for that particular franchise. It's a way for each team to celebrate its own kicking legends and the amazing moments they created on the field, you know.

Some teams might have a kicker who made a 60-yard field goal, and for that team, that's their big moment, their longest kick ever. Others might have a record that's a bit shorter, perhaps in the high 50s. These records reflect the history of each team and the different players who have worn their uniforms. It’s pretty cool to see how these individual team achievements fit into the bigger picture of NFL kicking history, as a matter of fact.

So, while Justin Tucker holds the overall title for the longest field goal, every team has a story about their own kicker who stepped up and made a really long one when it mattered. These kicks are often remembered by the fans of that team, sometimes even more than the league-wide record, because they were specific to their team's history and successes. It adds another layer of interesting detail to the whole discussion about long kicks.

Brandon Aubrey and His Bid for the Longest Field Goal

Speaking of powerful legs, there's a kicker for the Dallas Cowboys named Brandon Aubrey who has shown he has one of the strongest legs in the NFL right now. He's made some incredibly long kicks himself, and he's definitely someone who could, perhaps, challenge that longest field goal record in the future. He's been really close to it, actually, which makes watching him kick pretty exciting, you know.

Brandon Aubrey had a kick that was among the longest ever made, a truly remarkable 65-yard field goal. That's just one yard shy of Justin Tucker's record. Think about how close that is – just a little bit more power or a slightly different angle, and he could have tied or even broken the record. It really shows the kind of talent he has and why he's considered one of the top kickers when it comes to distance, as a matter of fact.

He leads a group of kickers who can really send the ball a long way. While he hasn't beaten Justin Tucker's record for the longest field goal yet, the fact that he came so close means he's definitely in that very exclusive club of players who can even attempt such a kick. It keeps things interesting, knowing there are kickers out there who could, at any moment, try to push that record even further.

What About the Longest Field Goal in NFL Playoff History?

People often wonder about the longest field goal in the regular season, but what about when the stakes are even higher, like in the playoffs? The pressure in a playoff game is totally different; every play feels more important, and a long field goal can truly decide who moves on and who goes home. So, it's natural to ask what the longest field goal ever made in a playoff game is, you know.

Kicking in the playoffs brings a whole new level of intensity. The weather can be tougher, the fields might be a bit more worn down, and every single point matters immensely. While the overall NFL record for the longest field goal stands at 66 yards, the playoff record is a separate thing. It's about who could perform under that extreme pressure and still send the ball a remarkable distance when their team needed it most, as a matter of fact.

These playoff kicks, even if they aren't the absolute longest ever, often feel bigger because of the moment. They are remembered for their impact on the game's outcome, often sealing a win or keeping a team's hopes alive. So, while the 66-yard kick is the king of all long field goals, the playoff versions have their own special place in football lore due to the circumstances surrounding them.

A Look Back at These Kicks

Thinking about the longest field goal in football history, it’s clear that these moments are pretty rare and truly special. From Tom Dempsey holding the record for a huge chunk of time to Justin Tucker finally pushing that boundary even further, these kicks show off incredible human ability. They remind us that sometimes, a single powerful swing of a leg can change a game, and even make history, you know.

The rarity of these super long kicks, with only a handful ever made from 62 yards or more, really highlights how difficult they are. It’s not just about strength; it’s about perfect timing and precision. And while the overall record is a big deal, every team has its own version of the longest field goal, a kick that meant a lot to their fans. It's pretty cool, actually, how many layers there are to this one simple act of kicking a football.