How Chargers’ Cameron Dicker’s 57-yard free kick stacks up with other sports rarities
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker reached rare air in the Week 16 edition of “Thursday Night Football.”
As the second quarter wound down, the Denver Broncos were flagged for a kick-catch interference penalty on a fair catch, resulting in a 15-yard advance for the Chargers. This unexpected call gave Los Angeles a unique choice: attempt a Hail Mary, take a knee or try a free kick — a seldom-seen play that allows a field goal attempt from the spot of a fair catch.
With the penalty moving the ball into Dicker’s range, the Chargers opted for the rare opportunity. Dicker rose to the occasion, drilling a 57-yard free kick as time expired in the half, cutting the deficit to 21-13. This kick wasn’t just clutch; it was historic, as it marked the NFL‘s first successful free kick since Ray Wersching’s 45-yarder for the Chargers in 1976, according to Quirky Research.
A rare fair catch free kick results in a Cameron Dicker 57-yard FG for the @Chargers 🤯
It’s the first free kick FG since 1976! pic.twitter.com/yb0cyPuKnR
— NFL (@NFL) December 20, 2024
It was also Dicker’s 16th career field goal of 50 or more yards, breaking John Carney’s record for the most such kicks in franchise history. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last fair catch kick attempt occurred in 2019, when
Source: espn.com