Ball from Akers’ record-tying kick bounces to Canton
The football, that received almost as much attention as the man who kicked it, has arrived at the Hall of Fame. Veteran kicker David Akers kicked a 63-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first half during the San Francisco 49ers’ season opening win over the Green Bay Packers. The ball firmly hit the crossbar before falling through the uprights to give the 49ers a 16-7 halftime lead.
Akers matched the NFL record for longest field goal with the kick. His long-distance kick tied him in the record book with three other players. Sebastian Janikowski of the Oakland Raiders converted from the same distance on Kickoff Weekend last season. The other kickers with 63-yarders include Tom Dempsey of the New Orleans Saints in 1970 and the Denver Broncos’ Jason Elam in 1998.
60-yard field goals
63
Tom Dempsey, New Orleans vs. Detroit, Nov. 8, 1970
Jason Elam, Denver vs. Jacksonville, Oct. 25, 1998
Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland vs. Denver, Sept. 12, 2011
David Akers, San Francisco vs. Green Bay, Sept. 9, 2012
62
Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay vs. Philadelphia, Oct. 22, 2006
61
Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland vs. Cleveland, Dec. 27, 2009
60
Steve Cox, Cleveland vs. Cincinnati, Oct. 21, 1984
Morten Andersen, New Orleans vs. Chicago, Oct. 27, 1991
Rob Bironas, Tennessee vs. Indianapolis, Dec. 3, 2006
Dan Carpenter, Miami vs. Cleveland, Dec. 5, 2010
Progression of a Record – Longest Field Goal
Tom Dempsey's 63-yarder in 1970 broke the NFL mark held by the Baltimore Colts Bert Rechichar who had a 56-yarder against the Bears on Sept. 27, 1953. His record kick snapped the two-decade old record of 54 yards by Glenn Presnell of the Detroit Lions on Oct. 7, 1934.
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