Chargers take advantage of obscure NFL free kick field goal rules, last successful in 1976

Is it really Thursday Night Football if there isn’t some kind of weirdness?

Well, Thursday’s Denver Broncos-Los Angeles Chargers game had an event that last happened way back in 1976.

With eight seconds left in the half and the Broncos leading 21-10, they punted the ball away in hopes of running out the clock and sending both teams to the locker room.

Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker, 11, is congratulated by teammate Josh Harris, 47, after making his fifth field goal of the game against the visiting Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. (Will Lester/MediaNews Group/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin via Getty Images)

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The good news is that the clock hit zero – the bad news, however, is that Denver was called for fair catch interference.

Of course, a half cannot end on a defensive penalty or a flag by the kicking team, so the Chargers had the option of a “fair catch kick” after the penalty moved them up 15 yards.

Cameron Dicker was able to line up for a 57-yard kick without any rush, not before some confusion on both sidelines – in fact, the ball didn’t even need to be snapped. Basically, it was as much of an exercise rep as an actual kick could get.

Cameron Dicker #11 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after kicking a field goal in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at SoFi Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Harry How/Getty Images)

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Dicker did, of course, and it was instead an eight-point lead for Denver going into the half instead of winning 21-10.

Ironically, the last successful “fair catch kick” was way back in 1976 by none other than San Diego Chargers kicker Ray Wersching.

It was the 27th recorded fair catch in NFL history, including the postseason, and only the seventh to go through the uprights. The last attempt prior to Thursday was in 2019, when Joey Slye missed from 60 yards.

Dicker’s kick is now the longest fair catch in NFL history, surpassing the 52-yard boot by Paul Hornung in 1964.

Cameron Dicker #11 of the Los Angeles Chargers kicks off during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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There had been nine missed attempts between the Chargers’ two free throws, but this was the shortest attempt. It has not been uncommon for the kick to reach 70 plus yards, as fair catches are usually caught on the opposite side of the field.

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