Top 10 players with longest NFL field goal
Long field goals in NFL history are always memorable moments, demonstrating the power, accuracy and bravery of kickers. Although today’s players can kick farther than ever, conquering a distance of more than 60 yards is still a rare achievement. In fact, no one has ever reached the 70-yard mark in an official game, except for Ove Johansson’s 69-yard kick in college in 1976. To honor these impressive moments, join Kingsoccertips.com to look back at the longest NFL field goals through the article below!
10 players with longest NFL field goal
Top 10: Tom Dempsey, 63 yards – New Orleans Saints (1970)
Tom Dempsey holds the record for the longest field goal attempt in NFL history, becoming the first player to successfully kick a field goal from 60 yards or more. Previously, Baltimore Colts’ Bret Rechichar held the record with a 56-yard kick. Dempsey was born with a birth defect – he had no toes on his right foot, but that didn’t stop him from becoming one of the best kickers in NFL history. At the time, goalposts were still placed in the middle of the end zone, which made long-range shots even more difficult. However, Dempsey still stunned the football world with his legendary kick.
During a game between the New Orleans Saints and the Detroit Lions, the Saints were in a difficult situation, trailing 17-16 late in the fourth quarter. With seconds left on the clock, Dempsey stepped up to attempt a challenging 63-yard field goal, something never done before in NFL history. With a powerful strike in a specially designed shoe, Dempsey sent the ball flying through the uprights, giving the Saints a historic victory. It was not only one of the greatest moments in NFL history, but also an inspiring story of perseverance and determination that will forever mark Dempsey in the league’s record books.
Top 9: Jason Elam, 63 yards – Denver Broncos (1998)
The two-time Super Bowl champion made NFL history by joining the elite club of kickers who have successfully made a 63-yard kick in a midseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. No one had hit a kick that far in three decades before, which made the moment all the more special. With the second half about to end, his team needed a crucial touchdown to solidify their advantage. Under the pressure of the Mile High City, he stepped up with full concentration, swung his leg and sent the ball through the uprights, giving the Denver Broncos a 27-10 lead.
The kick was not only an iconic moment, but also demonstrated his ability to hit from long range in a crucial game. The Mile High City’s elevation sometimes lends itself to long-distance kicks, but the feat was a testament to his incredible skill and power. Not only did it give his team an advantage, it cemented his reputation as one of the greatest kickers of all time. With a Super Bowl title and a lifetime record under his belt, he continues to cement his place in NFL history.
Top 8: Sebastian Janikowski, 63 yards – Oakland Raiders (2011)
Sebastian Janikowski made his mark in NFL history with a spectacular 63-yard field goal in the season opener, just two years after his 61-yard field goal. The legendary Oakland Raiders kicker has always been known for his powerful long-range kicking ability, and the game against the Denver Broncos was a perfect example of that. Before his historic kick, Janikowski had already made two successful free kicks in the second half, helping the Raiders maintain their advantage. But the highlight came when he stepped up to kick a 63-yard field goal, a distance that only a handful of kickers in NFL history have been able to conquer.
With the Raiders trailing the Broncos by a small margin, Janikowski was tasked with taking the long-range shot to extend their advantage. With a confident demeanor, he took the momentum, kicked the ball powerfully and accurately, and sent it straight through the uprights, giving the Raiders a 16-3 lead. This was not only one of the longest kicks in history, but also a moment that demonstrated Janikowski’s class and consistency. This achievement helped him tie the record for the longest kick in the NFL at that time, while also cementing his reputation as one of the most powerful and accurate kickers in the league. Janikowski’s long-range kicks not only meant points, but also created great momentum and confidence for the entire Raiders team in important matches.
Top 7: David Akers, 63 yards – San Francisco 49ers (2012)
During his two years with the San Francisco 49ers, David Akers had one of the most memorable moments of his career when he hit a 63-yard field goal in the 2012 season opener. The game was a tight affair against the Green Bay Packers, and with less than a minute left in the first half, Akers hit a 43-yard field goal that extended the 49ers’ lead. But the truly special moment came shortly after, when San Francisco regained possession and gave Akers a chance to take a 63-yard field goal just before the end of the first half.
Akers’ shot was aimed straight at the goal line, but instead of going in immediately, the ball bounced off the crossbar and into the ground, giving the 49ers a 16-7 lead. Not only was it one of the longest kicks in NFL history, but it was also one of the most spectacular, as Akers’ kick hit the crossbar but still resulted in a dramatic score. The success further cemented Akers’ reputation as one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers at the time, while also helping the 49ers start the season with a crucial victory.
Top 6: Graham Gano, 63 yards – Carolina Panthers (2018)
Throughout his first 10 years of his career, Graham Gano had never successfully kicked a field goal of 60 yards or more. However, that changed in the 2018 season with the most memorable moment of his career. In a game between the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants, the Panthers were trailing with a little over a minute left in regulation. Quarterback Eli Manning threw a 15-yard touchdown pass, giving the Giants a 31-30 lead.
With just a second left in the game, Gano stepped up to take the winning kick from 63 yards out. The ball curved just enough to hit the uprights, giving the Panthers a thrilling victory. It was not only Gano’s longest kick of his career, but also one of the most memorable moments of the season. This success not only helped him engrave his name in Panthers history, but also proved that, even after a decade of playing, Gano can still elevate himself and create memorable moments in the NFL.
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Top 5: Brett Maher, 63 yards – Dallas Cowboys (2019)
Brett Maher made a strong impression in his second season in the NFL with a string of impressive long-range kicks. He made a 63-yard field goal, just a week after completing a 62-yard field goal. The 63-yard goal came just before the end of the first quarter, giving the Dallas Cowboys a 27-7 lead over the New York Jets. Not only was it a precise long-range shot, but it also underscored Maher’s consistency as a kicker for the team.
Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time Maher punished the Jets with a long-range kick. He also made a 62-yard field goal against the same team in his rookie season. This coincidence further highlights Maher’s ability to make difficult kicks, and confirms his important role in the Cowboys’ lineup. With his consistent long-range success, Maher quickly became one of the most dangerous kickers in the NFL, especially in situations that require accuracy and power over long distances.
Top 4: Joey Slye, 63 yards – New England Patriots (2024)
Joey Slye continued to demonstrate his formidable long-range shooting ability when he set a franchise record for the New England Patriots with a 63-yard kick in 2024. He previously set a mark with a 61-yard kick for the Washington Commanders in 2023, becoming the longest kicker in team history. Just a year later, Slye made history again when he made a powerful sideline kick late in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers, giving the Patriots their first three points of the game when their offense was struggling.
The kick not only resulted in a crucial score, but also gave the team momentum heading into the second half. With his accurate and consistent long-range shooting, Slye is becoming one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL. His record shows the importance of long-range shots in tight games, when a great kicker can help a team stay in the game even when the offense can’t score a touchdown. His new Patriots record is a testament to Slye’s progress and solidifies his place among the league’s top kickers.
Top 3: Matt Prater, 64 yards – Denver Broncos (2013)
Matt Prater made NFL history when he successfully kicked a 64-yard field goal in 2013, breaking a record that had stood for more than 40 years. The iconic kick came in one of the final games of the season, when the Denver Broncos under Peyton Manning were still a formidable offensive force. Just before the end of the first half, Prater stepped up and fired a powerful kick, sending the ball over the crossbar to set a new milestone in league history.
The kick not only set a personal record, but also gave the entire team a boost. After trailing by a point late in the second quarter to the Tennessee Titans, the Broncos exploded in the second half with a dominant performance. They scored a total of 51 points, winning convincingly 51-28. Prater’s stellar performance and the team’s tenacious spirit helped the Broncos maintain a consistent performance on their journey to the Super Bowl that season.
Top 2: Brandon Aubrey, 65 yards – Dallas Cowboys (2024)
Brandon Aubrey had an impressive rookie season, quickly establishing himself as one of the best kickers in the NFL. He earned an AP All-Pro nod after completing all 10 of his kicks from 50 yards or more, an impressive feat for a player new to the league. Aubrey’s consistency and accuracy on long kicks made him a key weapon for the team, giving him an edge in crucial situations. Not only did he impress with his ability to make long-range kicks, he also showed composure under pressure, something that not many kickers can do early in their careers.
In his second season, Aubrey continued to maintain his excellent form and asserted his value with powerful long-range kicks. The highlight was a 65-yard kick in the first quarter of his team’s game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3. Although the home team lost by a narrow margin of 25-28, the kick once again demonstrated Aubrey’s ability to handle difficult situations, showing that he is not only a consistent kicker but also possesses outstanding power on long-range kicks. Previously, in 2023, he successfully kicked a 60-yard kick, showing his progress and ability to maintain impressive form. With the ability to make accurate kicks from long distances, Aubrey has increasingly asserted his position as one of the top kickers in the NFL, playing an important role in the team’s strategy and providing a significant advantage in important games.
Top 1: Justin Tucker, 66 yards – Baltimore Ravens (2021)
Justin Tucker’s 66-yard kick in 2021 not only set a record for the longest field goal in NFL history, but also secured a dramatic 19-17 victory for the Baltimore Ravens over the Detroit Lions. As time was running out, Tucker stepped up to take the decisive kick. The ball hit the crossbar before bouncing into the goal, leaving the stadium stunned by the historic moment. It was not only a successful kick, but also a testament to the accuracy and grit of one of the NFL’s greatest kickers.
That season, Tucker continued to show his class with impressive form. He missed only two of his 37 field goal attempts, while also successfully connecting on all six of his attempts from 50 yards or more. His consistency not only led the Ravens to many important victories, but also affirmed his status as a top kicker. Tucker’s career success rate of 90.5% is the highest in NFL history, making him a model of accuracy and coolness in crucial moments.
In Summary
The longest NFL field goal players above are not only a testament to the strength and technique of kickers but also create historic moments, contributing to changing the game. Long-range goals not only require superior strength but also absolute precision and steadfastness under pressure. It is these moments that have helped affirm the importance of kickers, turning them into decisive factors in many dramatic matches, and at the same time making an indelible mark in the hearts of fans.
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