Former Giants Kicker, Lawrence Tynes, Knows Why He Never Got To Try a Free Kick

Good coaches hope to avoid giving team a chance to pull off a rare feat.

AP/David J. Phillip
In this Jan. 20, 2008, file photo, New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal in overtime during the NFC Championship football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wisconin. AP/David J. Phillip

A former placekicker with the New York Giants, Lawrence Tynes, practiced for the fair catch free kick scenario many times during his career, but was surprised to see it converted Thursday night by the Los Angeles Chargers in their game against the Denver Broncos at Los Angeles.

Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker drilled a record-long 57-yard free kick just before halftime to spark Los Angeles to a 34-27 victory over the Broncos at Sof Fi Stadium. It was the first made free kick since Ray Wersching of the then-San Diego Chargers connected from 45 yards against the Buffalo Bills in 1976. The last attempt, which missed, was in 2019 by Joey Slye of the Carolina Panthers from 60 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The previous longest successful previous fair catch free kick was from 52 yards by Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers in 1962.

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