Who doesn’t love a rare gem?
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker most certainly does, hitting a rare mark during his team’s “Thursday Night Football” contest against the Denver Broncos.
With the second quarter nearing its end, the referees threw a flag on the Broncos for fair catch interference, which gave the Chargers a free 15 yards up the field.
Los Angeles was put in quite the predicament after that call — they could either try for a Hail Mary, take a knee or go for a free kick; a very rare play that allows a field goal attempt from a fair catch spot. (RELATED: ‘Charming, Charismatic Psychopath’: PETA Takes Brutal Shot At Michael Vick After He Was Hired As Norfolk State Coach)
Los Angeles’ 15-yard advantage put Dicker right in his range, so head coach Jim Harbaugh decided to go for this rare free kick. It was time to put Dicker to the test, and he passed with flying colors, hitting a 57-yard free kick to close out the half and bringing the Chargers‘ deficit to 21-13 in the process. Not only was it a clutch score for the Bolts, but a historic feat for Dicker and the boys — the first successful free kick in the NFL since 1976, according to Quirky Research. Then Ray Wersching hit a 45-yard field gold for the Chargers.
And to make it even better for Dicker, he also broke the franchise record for most field goals (16) that are 50+ yards. John Carney was the previous record-holder.
The last time that a fair catch kick attempt happened in the NFL was back in 2019, per Elias Sports Bureau.
WATCH:
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
Absolutely incredible! Some magic for already a magical Christmas time!
