Similarly, the kicker does not have to worry about a low snap because the ball is not snapped. Last known successful fair catch kick in the NFL. National Federation of State High School Associations, National Collegiate Athletics Association, "Bears shocked Packers with last-minute free kick", "Rare free kick leads to huge, last-minute win in Miami", "Fair catch kick would add old-time pizzazz to playoffs", "Bill Belichick passed up an opportunity to end Super Bowl 51 in the weirdest possible way", "Monolithic Packers-Bears Rivalry Evokes Numerous Memories", http://www.packershistory.net/1921PACKERS/GAME3.html, "McNair guides Titans past winless Texans", "49ers pull in front of Rams 14-3 at the half", "Official Playing Rules and Casebook of the National Football League", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fair_catch_kick&oldid=1000737045, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. He was the twelfth player in NFL history to score 1,000 points in a career, and was the most recent player to have scored from a fair catch kick. The last successful attempt was made in 1976 by Ray Wersching of the San Diego Chargers (45 yards), and the longest successful attempt was made in 1964 by Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers (52 yards). I’ve seen one fair catch kick attempted in my life. When he retired, Wersching held 49ers records for points, field goals and extra points. The record in … He played in the NFL for a span of 15 years, from 1973 through 1987. Longest recorded successful fair catch kick in NFL. "Rout of Chicago led by Hornung". Upon crossing the out of bound line onto the field to kick a field goal or extra point, he always looked down, never raising his head until after he kicked. Rollow, Cooper (Nov. 30, 1969). He was the twelfth player in NFL history to score 1,000 points in a career, and was the most recent player to have scored from a fair catch kick. (Aug. 31, 1986). … Joey Votto walked on three balls, in a way stealing first base. "Oilers 17, Cowboys 14". The kick must be either a place kick or a drop kick, and if it passes over the crossbar and between the goalposts of the opposing team's goal, a field goal, worth three points, is awarded to the kicking team. (Jan. 10, 1966). [21] A unique set of circumstances is required for a fair catch kick to be a viable option. Because the defense is required to be ten yards beyond the spot of the kick, the kicker can take a running start before kicking as opposed to the typical two steps taken on regular field goal attempts. For one, the fair catch would need to be made at a point on the field where a field goal attempt has a reasonable chance of being successful;[22] most fair catches are made well outside of field goal range. The fair catch kick would also be of a shorter distance than a normal field goal attempt from the same spot, because the fair catch kick is taken from the spot of the catch, while a typical field goal is taken seven yards back from the line of scrimmage.[22]. None have been made since 1976. The kick has been executed 4 more times in the NFL; the last successful fair catch kick was performed on Nov. 21, 1976, by Ray Wersching of the … Early career He attended Warren High School in Downey, California. Share this article share tweet text email link Nate Scott. Rollow, Cooper (Dec. 11, 1966). "Berry almost blanked out on play that whipped the Bears". "Giants topple Redskins, 14-6". In Super Bowl XVI, Wersching tied a Super Bowl record by kicking four field goals, and his field position kick-offs also helped his team win, 26-21. 2. [25] Accordingly, most fair catch kick attempts occur when a team has fair-caught a ball from a punt from deep in their opponent's territory but there is not enough time left in the half to go for a touchdown. He was the 12th player in NFL history to score 1,000 points in a career, and is the most recent player to have scored from a fair catch kick. The last successful fair catch kick in the NFL was by Ray Wersching in 1976 for the San Diego Chargers against the Buffalo Bills. The 49ers tried one on a Monday Night game in Dallas about 20 years ago. Most recently, Mason Crosby of the Green Bay Packers attempted an unsuccessful 69-yard fair catch kick against the Detroit Lions on December 28, 2008. The fair catch kick exists at the NFL and high school level, but not at the college level, which is fairly rare. He attended Warren High School in Downey, California. 1x All-Pro selection (1986) Raimund "Ray" Wersching (born August 21, 1950 in Mondsee, Austria) is an Austrian who is known for having been a professional placekicker in the National Football League ( NFL) for a span of 15 years, stretching from 1973 through 1987. [1], Wersching had a unique kicking style. [3][11], In the NFHS rulebook, the fair catch kick is specifically defined as a free kick. Ray Wersching : biography August 21, 1950 – Raimund "Ray" Wersching (born August 21, 1950 in Mondsee, Austria) is an Austrian former placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). [12] The National Football League (NFL) rulebook specifically states that the fair catch kick is not a free kick,[4] instead considering the fair catch kick to be a distinct type of kick. [3][4] The kick itself can be either a place kick or drop kick;[5][6] a kicking tee cannot be used at the professional level, but use of a tee up to two inches in height is permitted at the high school level. Carl Cheffers is the referee for Super Bowl LV. The kick on Sunday (Oct. 13) was the first fair catch kick attempt in the NFL since Sept. 26, 2013, when the 49ers’ Phil Dawson attempted one. "Safetyman blitz shackles Tittle". White, Gordon S., Jr. (Sep. 14, 1964). "Redskins tie 49ers, 17-17". The most recent successful "fair catch kick" came on Nov. 21, 1976 when San Diego's Ray Wersching made a 45-yard attempt. Football Zebras has confirmed that Carl Cheffers will … [20], The fair catch kick rule is very rarely invoked,[14][16][17] and is one of the rarest plays in football. With one exception, all fair catch kick attempts were made within the last 30 seconds of either the 2nd or 4th quarter. "Morton leads pro kings". 29, 1972). He won another Super Bowl ring with the 49ers in Super Bowl XIX, defeating the Miami Dolphins 38-16. The drop kick. The defense is not able to block the kick, allowing the kicker to give the ball a lower trajectory than usual. [8][9] If the attempt fails, the opposing team is awarded control of the ball from the spot of the kick. He attended Warren High School in Downey, California. In 1977, Wersching joined the San Francisco 49ers. Both major codes of rugby have eliminated the rule; rugby league abolished the goal from mark in 1922, and rugby union removed it in 1977. The Drop Kick is an alternate choice to kick a field goal or punt the ball. Only six have ever been made, with Hornung’s 52-yarder the longest. Career highlights and awards. After making this request the player will then have to quick the ball through the goal posts in order to win three points. At the professional level, the last successful fair catch kick was made by Ray Wersching of the San Diego Chargers in 1976. How It Happens The reason the play is so rare, it takes a certain set of circumstances for a coach to choose to … (Nov. 3, 1958). (Nov. 14, 1984). Since then, kickers … Kicker Joey Slye attempted the first fair-catch kick in the NFL since 2013. Wersching had a unique kicking style. "Bears upset Packers, 13 to 10, on free kick in final seconds". Roberts, Ernie (Jan. 21, 1981). The kick has been executed 4 more times in the NFL; the last successful fair catch kick was performed on Nov. 21, 1976, by Ray Wersching of the … However, the last time a fair catch kick was successfully turn into three points was by Chargers’ kicker Ray Wersching in 1976. That was on Oct. 23, 1955 when the New York Giants' Ben Agajanian missed a 56-yard attempt. The last successful fair catch was made back in 1976 by former San Diego chargers player, Ray Wersching. Raimund "Ray" Wersching (born August 21, 1950) is an Austrian former placekicker in the NFL. Since then, seven fair-catch kicks have been attempted. "Color Rockingham grey". At least 10 fair catch kicks have been tried unsuccesfully since Wersching’s successful effort from 43 years ago, with all but one of them longer than Slye’s 59-yard try. Crusinberry, James (Nov. 9, 1925). [4][7] Like other field goal attempts, the kicking team is awarded three points if the kick goes above the crossbar and between the goalposts of the opposing team's goal and did not touch a player of the kicking team after the kick. (Nov. 4, 1968). He was the 12th player in NFL history to score 1,000 points in a career, and is the most recent player to have scored from a fair catch kick. The kick seems to be so old that a footage of it can't be found easily online. Wersching had a unique kicking style. "Matte's passing paces Colts to 35-to-3 upset of Cowboys in Playoff Bowl". A similar rule in rugby, the goal from mark, allowed a player who had fair caught a ball to attempt an uncontested free kick from the spot of the fair catch. The fair catch kick rule states that, after a player has successfully made a fair catch or has been awarded a fair catch as the result of a penalty such as kick catch interference, their team can attempt a kick from the spot of the catch;[1][2] the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rulebook also allows a kick to be made if the down following the fair catch or awarded fair catch has to be replayed. [10][11] The opposing team can also return the kick if it does not go out of bounds. "Wanted three points". "Giants turn back Green Bay by 17-6". Oates, Bob (Nov. 9, 1971). "63-yard fg try on free kick falls short". Because most fair catches are made well out of field goal range, and a team making a fair catch has possession of the ball and a first down, it is rarely to a team's advantage to attempt a fair catch kick rather than run a play from scrimmage. [1] Prior to the kick, the opposing team must be lined up at least ten yards beyond the spot of the ball. Upon crossing the out of bound line onto the field to kick a field goal or extra point, he always looked down, never raising his head until after he kicked. The fair catch kick is a rule at the professional and high school levels of American football that allows a team that has just made a fair catch to attempt a free kick[A] from the spot of the catch. Perhaps the most famous one was Mac … like October 13, 2019 11:17 am. [25] Out of the 26 recorded fair catch kick attempts in regular season and postseason games, six were successful; all five known attempts in exhibition games were unsuccessful. The last time a kicker actually made a fair catch kick came back in 1976 when Ray Wersching hit one from 45-yards out for the Chargers in a game against the Bills. [4], In 2006; Wersching along with business partner Mary Ann Locke were indicted on embezzlement charges of $8 million in insurance premiums. The last successful fair catch kick was made by Ray Wersching of San Diego Chargers. It is also known as a “free kick field goal.” At the professional level, the last successful fair catch kick was made in 1976 by San Diego Chargers's Ray Wersching who kicked it 45-yards past the Buffalo Bills. The fair catch kick we just saw in Panthers-Bucs, explained. The fair catch kick, ... Only five attempts were successful, including the last in 1976 when Ray Wersching converted from 45 yards for San Diego. Mitchell, Fred (Aug. 9, 1993). They managed to turn a fair catch into three points, thanks to placekicker Ray Wersching. [5] Wersching was eventually exonerated of the charges (while Locke served time in prison) but would lose his business as a result. He played in the NFL for a span of 15 years, from 1973 through 1987. When he retired, Wersching held 49ers records for points, field goals and extra points. The fair catch kick is considered to be an obscure rule and it is rarely attempted. Usually high school rules are closer to college rules. [3] He was a contestant on the original version of the game show High Rollers in 1975. This happens during a kickoff. "Vikings stay alive". Florence, Mal (Nov. 25, 1967). [24] Art McNally, who led the officiating department of the National Football League from 1968 to 1990, said that even in the event a fair catch is made within field goal range, most teams would attempt to score a touchdown unless there is not enough time left to score one. "Pro football patter". The Fair Catch Kick is one of the most discussed and debated obscure rules in the NFL Rulebook. The last time a free kick was used in the NFL was by Ray Wersching in 1976. "L.A.'s special teams cost win in Baltimore". When the fair catch returned to the rulebook, however, the option to attempt a kick after the fair catch was removed. Dozer, Richard (Dec. 9, 1968). NFL fair-catch kick attempts After a fair catch, an NFL team has the right to take a free kick from the line of scrimmage on the next play. [6], "Quirky Research: NFL fair catch kick attempts™", "Kicker lined up success in NFL, but life after game proves harder", "California Board of Accountancy - License Lookup", "SAN FRANCISCO / Former 49er indicted in embezzlement case / Ray Wersching was a placekicker for S.F. The last such successful fair catch kick was on November 21, 1976, when Ray Wersching of the San Diego Chargers converted from 45 yards in a game against the Buffalo Bills. [19] The fair catch kick is not legal in National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) football; the NCAA abolished the fair catch in 1950, but re-added it a year later. Phil Dawson of the San Francisco 49ers made an unsuccessful attempt at a 71-yard free kick … Wersching had a unique kicking style. [14][15][16], The fair catch kick found in American football originated in rugby football. [17], Despite its drawbacks, there are several unique advantages to using the fair catch kick. (Oct. 6, 1969). [17] Australian rules football has retained the rule, and it is a vital part of the Australian game; a "fair catch" of a ball kicked more than 15 meters in the air is called a mark, and the player making the mark is then awarded a free kick. Sarah Thomas becomes the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl. Had Slye made it, it would have been the first successful conversion of a fair catch kick since Ray Wersching nailed one for the Chargers in 1976. Longest field goal attempt on record until 2008. [2], Wersching holds an inactive public accountant's license. [23], Furthermore, for a fair catch kick to be a viable option near the end of the fourth quarter, the team attempting the kick needs to be either tied or behind by three points or fewer; even if such a situation were to occur, a coach might still decline to attempt a fair catch kick. Raul Allegre attempts a 61-yard fair catch kick after the Colts fair catch a short Patriots kickoff. Undrafted after his career at Cerritos College and the … "Giants defeated by Steelers in seesaw contest at Polo Grounds". When he retired, Wersching held 49ers records for points, field goals and extra points. The NFL does not keep a record of fair catch kick attempts, so the exact number of attempts is unknown. Following the 1950 season, college football restored the fair catch, but explicitly removed the fair catch kick rule. The Niners could have also elected to do this during Super Bowl XLVII following the Ravens’ safety. Today could have been number seven, but … He played in the NFL for a span of 15 years, stretching from 1973 through 1987. 4 Possession After A Touchdown The fair catch kick has its origins in rugby football's goal from mark, which has since been abolished in both major rugby codes; a similar rule, the mark, is a major part of Australian rules football. The last converted fair catch kick was a 45-yarder by San Diego’s Ray Wersching against Buffalo in 1976. "Old-timers Perry, McElhenny, Tittle star in 24-21 rally". "Cards Win 9-6; Driscoll's Toe Tells Tale". [18] The fair catch kick has been present in the NFL rulebook since the league's inception,[14] and also remains in the NFHS rulebook. "Colt 'free kick' no consequence". [13] Despite this, reporters at both levels describe the fair catch kick as a free kick. There hasn’t been a successful fair catch kick in over 40 years. Ray Wersching missed. A team may attempt a fair catch kick if it makes a fair catch within reasonable range when the clock expires at the end of either half, as a half must be extended in order to allow a fair catch kick attempt. At the professional level, the last successful fair catch kick was made by Ray Wersching of the San Diego Chargers in 1976. Kelley, Robert F. (Nov. 27, 1933). Ball was on target but fell just short of the crossbar. If the kick goes through the uprights, the kicking team scores 3 points. No, but it sure was random. Wallace, William N. (Sep. 14, 1964). For Panthers kicker Joey Slye, it was an opportunity to convert the first fair catch kick since Chargers kicker Ray Wersching in 1976, who made a 45-yarder at … The most recent fair catch kick attempt was by Carolina Panthers kicker Joey Slye, who missed a 60-yard fair catch kick wide right on October 13, 2019. The fair catch kick has its origins in rugby football's goal from mark, which has since been abolished in both major rugby codes; a similar rule, the mark, is a … Raimund "Ray" Wersching (born August 21, 1950) is an Austrian former placekicker in the NFL. For example, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, known for his knowledge and utilization of obscure football rules, declined the opportunity to attempt a 75-yard fair catch kick at the end of Super Bowl LI; although kicker Stephen Gostkowski was able to kick the ball that far and the game was tied, Belichick felt the risk of a return touchdown by the opposing team off a failed kick outweighed the opportunity to score from the kick. This page was last edited on 16 January 2021, at 13:19. Undrafted after his career at Cerritos College and the University of California, Berkeley, Wersching was signed by the San Diego Chargers, where he played for four years. Was it a great achievement? Made after a "sky high" punt that went only about 25 yards. But here is a video of attempted fair catch kick with rule explanation from Dean Blandino the NFL's Vice President of officiating. from 1977 to '87", "Ray Wersching - kicking around for work", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ray_Wersching&oldid=1000241325, Players of American football from California, NFL player missing current team parameter, Infobox NFL biography articles with old NFL.com URL, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 14 January 2021, at 08:04. The rule of the game is that the receiving player will have to do that. Damer, Roy (Jul. The last kicker to make the rare kick was the San Diego Chargers’ Ray Wersching, who made one from 45 yards in 1976. Fair catch was made on a botched squib kick. [16][17] The rule has been regarded as "obscure",[14][15] "bizarre",[17] and "quirky". The Steelers never have attempted a "fair catch kick," and the franchise was only involved in one game when one was attempted. 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