Cameron Dicker makes first successful free kick FG since 1976

Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made the first successful fair-catch kick since 1976, and it was the longest such kick in NFL history.

A little-known NFL rule gives a team the right to take a free kick from the line of scrimmage on the next play after a fair catch. It is essentially a field goal with a hold (but no snap) and without a scramble, as the defense must stand at least 10 yards from the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked.

The Chargers got a chance to try it when returner Derius Davis signaled for a fair catch. Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith grazed Davis’ leg as he passed, drawing a flag for fair catch interference.

Although time expired, the Chargers received an untimed down due to the 15-yard penalty. They sent the offense out first before calling a timeout. It is unclear whether Jim Harbaugh originally knew the rule, which is not in college football.

Dicker made a 57-yard field goal to pull the Chargers to within 21-13 at halftime.

Ray Wersching’s 45-yard free kick for the Chargers against the Bills on November 21, 1976 was the last successful one fair-catch kick, according to quirkyresearch.com. There are five other known successful free kicks for field goals, including a 52-yarder by Green Bay’s Paul Hournung at the end of the first half of a game against the Bears in 1964.

No team had attempted a free kick since 2019, when Carolina kicker Joey Slye went wide from 60 yards late in the first half of a game against the Bucs in London.