What is the longest field goal ever? Top 15 impressive records
American football is one of the most loved games, with a massive following worldwide. One thing that draws people's attention is the field goals, which display the players' technical abilities, including power, precision, and composure. Football players have set and broken records for the longest field goals throughout the game's history. While the longest field goal is a remarkable achievement, other impressive attempts are worth acknowledging.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What is the longest field goal in history?
- 1. Justin Tucker’s 66-yard field goal
- 2. Matt Prater’s 64-yard field goal
- 3. Tom Dempsey’s 63-yard field goal
- 4. Jason Elam’s 63-yard field goal
- 5. Sebastian Janikowski’s 63-yard field goal
- 6. David Akers’ 63-yard field goal
- 7. Graham Gano’s 63-yard field goal
- 8. Brett Maher’s 63-yard field goal
- 9. Stephen Gostkowski’s 62-yard field goal
- 10. Harrison Butker’s 62-yard field goal
- 11. Matt Bryant’s 62-yard field goal
- 12. Brett Maher’s 62-yard field goal
- 13. Matt Prater’s 62-yard field goal
- 14. Jake Elliott’s 61-yard field goal
- 15. Greg Zuerlein’s 61-yard field goal
- Who holds the record for the longest field goal in Super Bowl history?
- What is the shortest field goal possible?
Every player yearns to score a goal to help their team win, but some goals are out of the ordinary due to how they are executed. In American football, a field goal not only earns a team point but also displays prowess. As a result some of the greatest kickers in the NFL are known for the longest field goals in American football’s history.
What is the longest field goal in history?
Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens holds the record for the longest-successful field goal in the NFL. While he is regarded as one the greatest kickers, others have attempted to break the record, coming close by a few yards. Here is a list of the longest field goals in NFL history.
| Placekicker | Length | Date | Game |
| Justin Tucker | 66 yards | 26 September 2021 | Baltimore Ravens vs Detroit Lions |
| Matt Prater | 64 yards | 8 December 2013 | Denver Broncos vs Tennessee Titans |
| Tom Dempsey | 63 yards | 8 November 1970 | New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions |
| Jason Elam | 63 yards | 25 October 1998 | Denver Broncos vs Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Sebastian Janikowski | 63 yards | 12 September 2011 | Oakland Raiders vs Denver Broncos |
| David Akers | 63 yards | 9 September 2012 | San Francisco 49ers vs Green Bay Packers |
| Graham Gano | 63 yards | 7 October 2018 | Carolina Panthers vs New York Giants |
| Brett Maher | 63 yards | 20 October 2019 | Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles |
| Stephen Gostkowski | 62 yards | 19 November 2017 | New England Patriots vs Oakland Raiders |
| Harrison Butker | 62 yards | 16 October 2022 | Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills |
| Matt Bryant | 62 yards | 22 October 2022 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Philadelphia Eagles |
| Brett Maher | 62 yards | 9 December 2018 | Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles |
| Matt Prater | 62 yards | 19 September 2021 | Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings |
| Jake Elliott | 61 yards | 24 September 2017 | Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants |
| Greg Zuerlein | 61 yards | 8 November 2015 | St. Louis Rams vs Minnesota Vikings |
1. Justin Tucker’s 66-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Justin Tucker
- Team: Baltimore Ravens
- Game: Baltimore Ravens vs Detroit Lions
- Date: 26 September 2021
- Distance: 66 yards (60 metres)
Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens holds the record for the longest field goal. He kicked an incredible 66-yard field goal on 26 September 2021 while playing against the Detroit Lions. The field goal came at the last minute of the game, winning the match 19 - 17 and shattering the previous record.
American football player Tucker is regarded as one of the best placekickers in American football history. He started his NFL career in 2012, aged 23, when he joined the Baltimore Ravens after playing for the Texas Longhorns in college.
2. Matt Prater’s 64-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Matt Prater
- Team: Denver Broncos
- Game: Denver Broncos vs Tennessee Titans
- Date: 8 December 2013
- Distance: 64 yards (59 metres)
American football placekicker Matt Prater held the record for the longest field in the NFL until Justin Tucker’s record-breaking field goal in September 2021.
During the Denver Broncos game against the Tennessee Titans on 8 December 2013 at Denver’s Mile High Stadium, Matt Prater kicked a 64-yard field goal. The goal came towards the end of the first half, and ultimately, the Denver Broncos won the game 51–28.
3. Tom Dempsey’s 63-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Tom Dempsey
- Team: New Orleans Saints
- Game: New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions
- Date: 8 November 1970
- Distance: 63 yards (58 metres)
New Orleans Saints Tom Dempsey kicked a 63-yard field goal in the dying minutes of their game against the Detroit Lions on 8 November 1970. The match-winning field goal broke the previous record of 53 yards.
The field goal was impressive not only because of the distance but also because he achieved it despite being physically challenged. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers, and Buffalo Bills. Tom Dempsey passed away on 4 April 2020 at the age of 75.
4. Jason Elam’s 63-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Jason Elam
- Team: Denver Broncos
- Game: Denver Broncos vs Jacksonville Jaguars
- Date: 25 October 1998
- Distance: 63 yards (58 metres)
Jason Elam tied Tom Dempsey’s long-standing 63-yard record in 1998 while playing for the Denver Broncos. Elam’s kick came in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and was made in the first half. The record-tying field goal demonstrated Elam's impressive range and accuracy, and he remains one of the most reliable kickers in NFL history.
5. Sebastian Janikowski’s 63-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Sebastian Janikowski
- Team: Oakland Raiders
- Game: Oakland Raiders vs Denver Broncos
- Date: 12 September 2011
- Distance: 63 yards (58 metres)
Known for his powerful leg, Sebastian Janikowski matched the 63-yard record in 2011 while playing for the Oakland Raiders. Janikowski’s kick against the Denver Broncos showcased his incredible leg strength. His 63-yard field goal tied the NFL record and proved why he was one of the most feared kickers in the league during his career.
The Polish-American placekicker started his professional football career in 2000. He played for the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks until his retirement.
6. David Akers’ 63-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: David Akers
- Team: San Francisco 49ers
- Game: San Francisco 49ers vs Green Bay Packers
- Date: 9 September 2012
- Distance: 63 yards (58 metres)
David Akers tied the 63-yard record in 2012 while playing for the San Francisco 49ers. His kick came against the Green Bay Packers in a game at Lambeau Field. What made Akers’ field goal particularly remarkable was that it bounced off the crossbar before going through, adding to the drama and excitement of the moment.
7. Graham Gano’s 63-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Graham Gano
- Team: Carolina Panthers
- Game: Carolina Panthers vs New York Giants
- Date: 7 October 2018
- Distance: Distance: 63 yards (58 metres)
Graham Gano joined the elite group of kickers to make a 63-yard field goal in 2018 while playing for the Carolina Panthers. His kick against the New York Giants was a game-winning field goal that secured a 33-31 victory for the Panthers. Gano’s kick was crucial because it came in the game's final seconds.
The NFL player plays for the New Giants, which he joined the leaugue in 2020. At the start of his career in 2009, he played for the Washington Redskins before joining the Carolina Panthers, where he spent seven seasons.
8. Brett Maher’s 63-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Brett Maher
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Game: Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles
- Date: 20 October 2019
- Distance: Distance: 63 yards (58 metres)
While playing the Dallas Cowboys against the Philadelphia Eagles at the AT&T Stadium on 20 October 2019, Brett Maher made an impressive 63-yard field goal at the end of the first half. The goal was a beautiful display of leg power and set the record for the longest field goal in Cowboys' history. He also became the first-ever NFL kicker to make three field goals of 60 yards or more in his career.
9. Stephen Gostkowski’s 62-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Stephen Gostkowski
- Team: New England Patriots
- Game: New England Patriots vs Oakland Raiders
- Date: 19 November 2017
- Distance: 62 yards (57 metres)
Stephen Gostkowski, a longtime kicker for the New England Patriots, made a 62-yard field goal in 2017 against the Oakland Raiders. This field goal, made in Mexico City during an NFL international series game, was the longest in Gostkowski’s career and one of the longest in NFL history.
The former football star spent 15 seasons in the NFL before retiring in 2020. He started playing professional football when he was 22 for the New England Patriots, where he played for 14 seasons before joining the Tennessee Titans.
10. Harrison Butker’s 62-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Harrison Butker
- Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- Game: Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills
- Date: 16 October 2022
- Distance: 62 yards (57 metres)
On 16 October 2022, during the Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills game at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City Chiefs Harrison Butker made an incredible 62-yard field goal. The goal, scored in overtime, became the Kansas City Chiefs’ longest field goal and secured them a 23-20 victory.
After playing college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, he made his NFL debut in 2017 with the Kansas City Chiefs. He has spent seven seasons with the team.
11. Matt Bryant’s 62-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Matt Bryant
- Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Game: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Philadelphia Eagles
- Date: 22 October 2022
- Distance: 62 yards (57 metres)
Matt Bryant of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a 62-yard field goal in 2006 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Bryant’s kick was a franchise record then and helped secure a win for the Buccaneers. His 62-yard field goal demonstrated his strong leg and accuracy, earning him a place among the NFL’s top kickers.
12. Brett Maher’s 62-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Brett Maher
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Game: Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets
- Date: 9 December 2018, 13 October 2019
- Distance: 62 yards (57 metres)
Brett Maher is one of the best placekickers in the NFL. While playing for the Dallas Cowboys, he scored two 62-yard field goals that have been featured among the longest in the history of American football.
On 9 December 2018, while playing for the Dallas Cowboys against the Philadelphia Eagles, he made a 62-yard field goal that helped cement the Cowboys' much-needed win. He made a similar kick at the end of the first half during the Dallas Cowboys’ match against the New York Jets on 13 October 2019.
13. Matt Prater’s 62-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Matt Prater
- Team: Arizona Cardinals
- Game: Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys
- Date: 19 September 2021, 24 September 2023
- Distance: 62 yards (57 metres)
After his impressive 64-yard field goal with the Denver Broncos in 2013, Matt Prater has continued showing incredible strength and precision. While playing for the Arizona Cardinals on 19 September 2021 against the Minnesota Vikings at State Farm Stadium, the footballer kicked a 62-yard field goal at the end of the first half. He did it again on 24 September 2023 in the game against the Dallas Cowboys.
14. Jake Elliott’s 61-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Jake Elliott
- Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- Game: Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants
- Date: 24 September 2017
- Distance: 61 yards (56 metres)
Jake Elliott, a rookie kicker for the Philadelphia Eagles, made a 61-yard field goal in 2017 against the New York Giants. This kick not only helped the Eagles win but also set a record for the longest field goal made by a rookie in NFL history. Elliott’s 61-yard field goal was a remarkable achievement that showcased his potential as a top kicker in the league.
Jake Elliot played his college football for the Memphis Tigers. In 2017, the placekicker signed for the Philadelphia Eagles, marking his journey in the NFL.
15. Greg Zuerlein’s 61-yard field goal
Source: Getty Images
- Kicker: Greg Zuerlein
- Team: St. Louis Rams
- Game: St. Louis Rams vs Minnesota Vikings
- Date: 8 November 2015
- Distance: 61 yards (56 metres)
Nicknamed Greg the Leg for his powerful kicks, Greg Zuerlein made a 61-yard field goal for the St. Louis Rams in 2015. Zuerlein’s kick was one of the longest in the league that year and demonstrated his impressive range. His 61-yard field goal was a testament to his skill as a kicker and his ability to perform under pressure.
Who holds the record for the longest field goal in Super Bowl history?
Kansas Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker holds the record for the longest field goal in Super Bowl history. He kick a 57-yard field goal in their game against the San Francisco 49ers on 11 February 2024 in the Super Bowl LVIII.
What is the shortest field goal possible?
The shortest field goal possible is 17 yards. This can be explained by the 10 yards of the end zone and the standard seven yards that the holder lines up behind the line of scrimmage.
Anybody can kick a field goal in American football, but you must display strength, precision, and mental fortitude to stand out and be counted among the best kickers. The above list of the longest field goals shows the incredible talent of American football placekickers.
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