It was September 26, 2021. The Detroit Lions, a team seemingly cursed by the football gods, thought they had finally secured a rare win against the Baltimore Ravens. Then, Justin Tucker stepped onto the turf at Ford Field. Most kickers don't even practice from 60-plus yards unless the wind is at their back and they’ve had three cups of espresso. Tucker, however, isn't most kickers. He’s arguably the greatest to ever lace up a cleat. When the ball left his foot, it didn't look like it had the distance. It looked short. It looked like Detroit might survive. But the ball hit the crossbar—that dreaded "thunk" sound—and bounced upward. For a split second, time stopped. Then, the ball tumbled over. 66 yards.
That kick became the answer to whats the longest field goal in NFL history. It broke a record that many thought would stand for decades.
Before Tucker’s miracle in Detroit, the record was held by Matt Prater, who nailed a 64-yarder in Denver back in 2013. People always put an asterisk next to Prater’s kick because of the thin air at Mile High Stadium. Physics tells us that at high altitudes, there’s less air resistance. The ball just travels further. But Tucker? He did it in Detroit. Indoor stadium. No altitude help. Just pure, unadulterated leg strength and a bit of luck on the bounce. Honestly, it’s the kind of moment that makes you realize how thin the margins are in professional sports. If that ball hits the bar an inch lower, the Ravens lose, and we’re still talking about Prater.
The Physics of Punting a Pigskin 66 Yards
You can't talk about whats the longest field goal without getting into the nitty-gritty of how a human body actually launches a ball that far. It’s not just about "kicking it hard." If you swing too hard, you lose accuracy. It's a violent, controlled whip of the hip. Think about the torque required.
The NFL ball weighs about 14 to 15 ounces. To move that mass 66 yards, the foot has to strike the ball at an incredibly specific angle—usually around 35 to 45 degrees for maximum distance. Kickers call it the "sweet spot." If you hit it too low, it goes high but short. Too high, and it's a line drive that gets blocked at the line of scrimmage. Tucker’s 66-yarder was essentially a perfect trajectory. It cleared the outstretched hands of the defensive line by mere inches.
There’s also the "K-ball" factor. In the NFL, kickers use specific balls that are straight out of the box. They are notoriously hard and slick. They aren't "broken in" like the balls the quarterbacks use. Imagine trying to kick a brick that’s been sprayed with WD-40. That is what these guys are dealing with when they attempt these long-distance prayers.
Why Mile High Isn't the Only Cheat Code
Everyone talks about Denver, but humidity plays a role too. Dry air is actually heavier than moist air—counterintuitive, I know—but the real killer for distance is cold. When the temperature drops, the ball hardens. It becomes less elastic. It doesn't compress against the foot the same way, which means less energy transfer. Tucker’s record happened in a controlled climate, which is the perfect vacuum for a record-breaking attempt.
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We also have to look at the snap and the hold. Nick Moore and Sam Koch. Those are the names most people forget. If the laces are even a fraction of an inch off, the ball hooks. On a 20-yard chip shot, you can survive a bad hold. On a 66-yarder? Forget about it. The margin for error is basically zero.
The Evolution of the Leg: Why Records Keep Falling
If you go back to the 1970s, a 50-yard field goal was a massive deal. Tom Dempsey held the record for ages with a 63-yarder in 1970. What’s wild about Dempsey is that he was born without toes on his right foot. He wore a custom flat-front boot. People complained it gave him an unfair advantage, like kicking with a hammer. The league eventually changed the rules about footwear because of him.
But look at the kickers today. They are specialized athletes. Back in the day, the kicker was often a guy who also played linebacker or "soccer-style" was a new, weird trend. Now, these guys spend 12 months a year focusing on nothing but leg explosive power and flexibility.
When searching for whats the longest field goal, you’ll see a list of names like Sebastian Janikowski, Jason Elam, and Graham Gano. These guys are all part of the "60-yard club." The trend is clear: kickers are getting stronger, and coaches are getting gutsier. In the 90s, most coaches would punt if they were at the 45-yard line. Today, if you have a guy like Brandon Aubrey or Justin Tucker, you’re thinking about points.
The College and High School Outliers
Wait, is 66 yards actually the furthest a human has ever kicked a football? In a competitive game, no. But the NFL is the gold standard because of the pressure and the speed of the rush.
In college football, the record is actually 67 yards. It’s happened three times. Russell Erxleben did it for Texas in 1977. Steve Little did it for Arkansas that same year. And Joe Williams hit one for Wichita State in 1978. Why haven't we seen 67 in the NFL? Well, college kickers used to be allowed to use a "tee." That's a huge advantage. It lets you get under the ball perfectly every time. The NFL requires you to kick off the ground.
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Then there’s the legendary story of Ove Johansson. He was a Swedish kicker for Abilene Christian University. In 1976, he nailed a 69-yard field goal. Sixty-nine! It remains the longest field goal in organized football history. But again, he used a two-inch tee. It’s a different sport, basically.
The Mental Game: 60 Yards of Pressure
Think about the psychology. You’re standing there. 65,000 people are screaming. The game is on the line. If you miss, you’re the goat—and not the "Greatest of All Time" kind. You’re the reason the team lost.
Justin Tucker has often said that he doesn't think about the distance. He treats every kick the same. Three steps back, two steps over. It’s muscle memory. But when you’re talking about whats the longest field goal, you’re talking about a kick that requires a slightly different approach. You have to "swing through" the ball more. You’re essentially sacrificing a tiny bit of your usual technique to find that extra 5% of power.
Most kickers have a "line" in their head. Once they cross the 40-yard line, they know they’re in range. For Tucker, that line is basically the midfield logo.
Misconceptions About the "Long" Kick
One thing people get wrong is thinking that wind always helps. A massive tailwind can actually be a problem. It can "knock the ball down" or make it move unpredictably if it’s gusting. A steady, light breeze is what you want.
Another myth? That bigger kickers hit longer balls. Not necessarily. Look at Matt Prater. He’s 5'10" and weighs about 200 pounds. It’s all about fast-twitch muscle fibers in the quads and the snap of the knee. It’s more like a golf swing than a powerlift.
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Historical Progression of the NFL Record
It’s fun to look at how this record moved over time. It’s not a steady climb; it’s more like long periods of nothing followed by a sudden burst.
- 1970: Tom Dempsey hits the 63-yarder. This record stayed untouched for 28 years.
- 1998: Jason Elam ties it. Denver altitude, of course.
- 2011: Sebastian Janikowski ties it again. "Sea Bass" was a freak of nature who probably could have hit a 70-yarder if he didn't enjoy his off-field life so much.
- 2012: David Akers ties it.
- 2013: Matt Prater finally breaks the ceiling with a 64-yarder.
- 2021: Justin Tucker sets the current mark at 66.
What’s next? We’ve seen kickers hit from 70 or even 75 yards in practice videos on social media. But practice isn't the game. In a game, you have 11 giant men trying to leap in front of the ball. You have to kick it higher.
The Reality of the "Next" Record
Could someone hit a 70-yarder in an NFL game? It’s possible, but the stars have to align perfectly. You need a coach willing to risk giving the opponent the ball at midfield if you miss. You need a kicker with a massive leg. You probably need to be in Denver or Mexico City (where the altitude is even higher).
Actually, the NFL played a game in Mexico City where the kickers were routinely booming kickoffs out of the stadium. If a team is trailing by 3 at the end of a half and they’re at their own 40-yard line, someone might just take the shot.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
When you're watching a game and wondering if your team's kicker can break the record for whats the longest field goal, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Warm-ups: Most NFL kickers start their pre-game routine at the 30-yard line and move back. If you see a guy consistently hitting the net from 65 during warm-ups, the coach might give him the green light in a "desperation" scenario.
- Surface Matters: Grass is slower than turf. A firm, synthetic surface allows for a more stable plant foot. Tucker's 66-yarder was on turf.
- The "End of Half" Strategy: The most likely time to see a record-breaking attempt is the end of the second quarter. There is almost no risk to missing a 68-yarder as time expires, compared to the end of the game where a miss gives the other team field position.
- Track the Speed: Next Gen Stats now tracks "exit velocity" on kicks. If a kicker is hitting the ball at 85+ mph, they have the raw distance for 65+.
The quest for the longest field goal is one of the few things in football that feels like a pure track and field event. It’s man vs. distance. And for now, Justin Tucker is the king of that mountain. But records are meant to be broken, and with the way legs are developing in the modern era, 67 yards might be closer than we think.
Keep an eye on the young kickers coming out of college. They are bigger, faster, and more technically sound than ever. It's only a matter of time before someone finds that perfect bounce on the crossbar again. Or better yet, clears it with room to spare.