Chargers Pull Off Rare Play: The NFL’s First Fair-Catch Kick in 48 Years!

In a game filled with unusual plays, Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made NFL history by successfully executing a 57-yard fair-catch kick against the Denver Broncos, marking the league’s first such score in 48 years. The kick, which came just before halftime, played a crucial role in the Chargers’ 34-27 comeback win, sealing their 24-6 run to victory.

What Is a Fair-Catch Kick?

The fair-catch kick is one of the NFL’s rarest and most obscure plays. It allows a team to attempt a free kick for three points following a fair catch on a punt. The kick is taken from the line of scrimmage while the opposing team must stand 10 yards away, with no defensive rush allowed.

The rule is rarely used because teams seldom find themselves in a position where such a kick is feasible. Before Dicker’s historic attempt, Ray Wersching of the San Diego Chargers was the last to successfully convert a fair-catch kick, 45 yards against Buffalo in 1976.

How It Happened

The opportunity arose when Denver’s Tremon Smith committed fair-catch interference on the final play of the first half. Los Angeles’ Derius Davis attempted to field a punt at the Chargers’ 38-yard line, but Smith’s penalty advanced the ball to Denver’s 47-yard line. This created a rare chance for the Chargers to attempt the kick.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh quickly called a timeout, opting for the fair-catch kick. With J.K. Scott holding the ball, Cameron Dicker comfortably sent the 57-yard kick through the uprights, setting a new NFL record for the longest fair-catch kick.

“I’ve been trying to get one of those every game,” Harbaugh said. “Cam stepped up and made it happen. It was huge and gave us momentum.”

Why It Was So Rare

Executing a fair-catch kick is nearly impossible in today’s NFL because most fair catches happen far from field goal range. However, Smith’s interference penalty moved the ball close enough for Dicker to attempt the historic kick.

“I was definitely confused,” Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa admitted. “I was ready to head into the locker room. You can play for 20 years and still see something new.”

Player Reactions

Even Tremon Smith, the player flagged for the crucial penalty, recognized the rarity of the play:

“I’ve been playing a long time,” Smith said. “It was just a dumb penalty… The returner sold it well. He knew he was running into me even though he wasn’t going to catch the ball.”

Chargers special teams coach Ryan Ficken, credited with preparing the team for the play, regularly reviews it during team meetings. “Looking over at [Denver’s] sideline, it was funny seeing their confusion,” Dicker said. “We talk about it every week, so it felt normal for us.”

Historical Context

Dicker’s 57-yard kick broke the previous fair-catch kick distance record of 52 yards, set by Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers in 1964.

The last fair-catch kick attempt occurred in 2019, when Joey Slye of the Carolina Panthers missed a 60-yard try during a game in London. Harbaugh himself attempted the play while coaching the San Francisco 49ers in 2013, but Phil Dawson missed from 71 yards.