Ravens kicker Tucker scores longest field goal in NFL history
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker sets a new record by nailing the longest field goal in NFL history while lifting his team to victory over the Detroit Lions.
Tucker demonstrated that he has quite the leg, his kick sending the ball soaring and hitting the goal post at the buzzer. The 66-yard kick, which took place during the final play of the game, went in and hoisted the Ravens to a 19-17 win over the Lions.
The record-breaking kick was set up by quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Tucker’s feat broke the previous NFL record of 64 yards set by Matt Prater for the Denver Broncos eight years ago.
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Tucker: Winning kick was "déjà vu"
The Ravens kicker described the experience as “déjà vu”, as his previous career record of 61 yards was also set in Detroit in 2013- a kick that likewise raised his team to a last-minute win over the Lions, 18-16.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and Tucker’s teammates were all praises for the kicker at the post-game press conference. They said they were very happy with the 31-year-old’s performance, and referred to him as “leg-a-tron” and "a GOAT".
Tucker: Field goal was a team effort
Amid the praises, Tucker said that while records and accolades are “cool” and can lead to a long, well-compensated career, what he took away was that “trusting the team” made opportunities like his kick happen. He acknowledged that his teammates all did their job in the offensive play.
When asked about how he managed to send the ball through such a great distance, the kicker said that sometimes “you abandon some technique to gain some power to get the ball to go. I just hopped into it more aggressively.”
Tucker's gamble ended up paying off. As he himself said, “Those were three big points that we needed.”