NFL records are made to be broken. One of the most cherished records for decades was Tom Dempsey’s 63-yard field goal. Several attempted to tie or beat the record but failed. Finally, the mark was tied several times over and then eventually surpassed.
Let’s take a look at the longest NFL field goals in history and appreciate the unbelievable moments some of the below kickers have lived.
What’s the Longest Field Goal in NFL History?
There are six kickers tied for third with 63-yarders and five kickers tied for ninth all-time with 62-yarders.
T-9) Matt Prater, Arizona Cardinals
Length: 62 yards
When: Sep. 24, 2023
Cardinals kicker Matt Prater appears on this list quite a bit, especially with his 64-yard kick back in 2013. Well, 10 yards later, Prater added his name to the record books once again. This time, he did it with the Arizona Cardinals during a Week 3 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Heading into halftime, nursing an eight-point lead, the Cardinals drove down the field and gave Prater the chance to kick the 62-yarder. The Cardinals were supposed to be one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2023, but they have fought hard with what many consider to be a sub-optimal roster. It seems like they are solid at the kicker position.
T-9) Brett Maher, Dallas Cowboys
Length: 62 yards
When: Oct. 20, 2019
Brett Maher has had a rocky relationship with the Dallas Cowboys. After taking over the job from longtime great Greg Zuerlein, Maher dazzled with some exceptional clutch kicks but was ultimately released after injuries and struggles plagued his 2021 season.
He didn’t need to search for a job long, Dallas opted to re-sign Maher during the offseason when none of their other options could separate themselves from the pack.
Maher appears twice on this list of longest field goals in NFL history. His first appearance was back on Oct. 20, 2019, against the Cowboys’ NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles. Right before the half, Maher successfully kicked this field goal at AT&T Stadium. Dallas would go on to win the game 37-10.
Maher has actually made two 62-yard field goals in his career, the second being a game-winning overtime kick also against the Eagles back in 2018.
T-9) Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots
Length: 62 yards
When: Nov. 19, 2017
Aside from the United Kingdom, Mexico has become one of the more popular International Series spots over the last few years. It was back in 2017 when the New England Patriots and the then-Oakland Raiders battled it out at Estadio Azteca, where Stephen Gostkowski wrote his name in the record books by kicking a 62-yard bomb as time expired to end the first half.
Gostkowski stepped in for Patriots legend Adam Vinatieri. Vinatieri became known for his clutch performances, particularly in the playoffs. Stepping in for the legend had to be a difficult act to follow, and yet, Gostkowski made his own name and developed his own legacy in New England.
T-9) Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Length: 62 yards
When: Oct. 22, 2006
The Eagles have a history of allowing some record-setting kicks to be had against them. This time around, it was Matt Bryant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who managed a 62-yard game-winning kick back in 2006. With no time left on the clock, Bryant drilled this kick to seal the game 23-21.
The game-winning kick would be the highlight of Bryant’s NFL career.
T-3) Brett Maher, Dallas Cowboys
Length: 63 yards
When: Oct. 20, 2019
Brett Maher has one of the most consistent legs in NFL history, as he can connect regularly from deep. Maher makes multiple appearances on this list for good reason. Maher drilled this 63-yard beauty in a blowout victory over NFC East rival Philadelphia.
Brett Maher is good from 63!!!
Longest kick in #DallasCowboys history!
Cowboys up 27-7 at the half pic.twitter.com/CHzWzmADS3
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) October 21, 2019
T-3) Graham Gano, Carolina Panthers
Length: 63 yards
When: Oct. 7, 2018
Carolina kicker Graham Gano is tied for the third-longest NFL field goal in history thanks to his 63-yard attempt against the New York Giants back in 2018. Not only is this tied for the third longest, but it’s also tied for the second-longest game-winning field goal in NFL history.
Gano became one of the most consistent kickers in the modern era.
T-3) David Akers, San Francisco 49ers
Length: 63 yards
When: Sept. 9, 2012
David Akers, the left-footed phenom, spent an impressive 16 years in the NFL. In 2012, he tied the then-record for the longest field goal with a 63-yard kick outdoors at Lambeau Field.
On this day in 2012, the #49ers beat the #Packers at Lambeau Field to start the season.
The big highlight of the game was David Akers tying the then-NFL record for longest field goal made at 63 yards.
(Via @nflthrowback) #Random49ers pic.twitter.com/tWEONGnIvd
— #Random49ers (@Random49ers) September 9, 2021
Akers made many clutch kicks during his NFL career.
T-3) Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders
Length: 63 yards
When: Sept. 12, 2011
The formerly known Oakland Raiders had one of the elite kickers of his time in Sebastian Janikowski. The Raiders were openly mocked when they selected him with a first-round pick, but the former Seminoles kicker paid off with a long, successful career.
In 2011, during a Monday Night Football matchup against the Denver Broncos, the first-round draft pick successfully completed a 63-yard field goal in Mile High.
Janikowski might always be famous for being the only kicker to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, but he created several memorable moments during his long 18-year career.
T-3) Jason Elam, Denver Broncos
Length: 63 yards
When: Oct. 25, 1998
If you’re a Broncos fan, chances are you know who Jason Elam is. Elam played nearly his entire NFL career with Denver and was the first player to tie Tom Dempsey’s long-held field-goal record.
“You never go into a game thinking you’re gonna have an opportunity for that.”
Jason Elam relives his record-tying 63-yard field goal: pic.twitter.com/NXgYb5GXxF
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 6, 2020
The kick, which was a part of the team’s destruction of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was a thing of beauty. Like another Denver kicker on this list, some naysayers point to Mile High as the reason why Elam tied Dempsey’s long-standing record. Elam was a phenomenal kicker and made several Pro Bowls.
The altitude in Mile High may have played a factor, but this shouldn’t diminish his accomplishments throughout his NFL career.
T-3) Tom Dempsey, New Orleans Saints
Length: 63 yards
When: Nov. 8, 1970
Tom Dempsey has one of the most interesting and unique stories in NFL history. What he managed to accomplish in his time with the New Orleans Saints is nothing short of incredible. Although this particular feat took place more than 50 years ago, it remains arguably the greatest kick of all time.
Tom Dempsey’s historic 63-yard field goal on Nov. 8, 1970 pic.twitter.com/UcZNBoOw9t
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 5, 2020
What made this particular kick so special? Well, Dempsey was actually born without toes on his right foot, the one he kicked with. Because of this, he wore a custom-built flat-front kicking boot. Considering the unique situation, kicking a 63-yard game-winning field goal is all that more impressive.
Dempsey’s record stood the test of time and was one of the most cherished marks in the NFL history books for several decades. Dempsey’s record may have fallen, but his place as one of the greatest kickers in NFL history remains.
One other thing to keep in mind with this record is the fact that this was during a time when the goalposts were in the middle of the end-zone entrance and not in the back of the scoring area, something that only started in 1974.
Who Has Kicked the Longest Field Goal in NFL History?
2) Matt Prater, Denver Broncos
Length: 64 yards
When: Dec. 8, 2013
Another record-breaking kick in the altitude of Denver! This time, it was Matt Prater who successfully surpassed Tom Dempsey during the first half of an eventual 28-15 loss to the Tennessee Titans with this unreal kick.
Some will point to the altitude in Mile High Stadium as the reason for Prater’s inclusion, but that’s not a fair distinction for the player. Prater was one of the best kickers in football during his NFL tenure and was known to have one of the game’s strongest legs.
1) Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
Length: 66 yards
When: Sept. 26, 2021
What is the longest field goal in NFL history? Well, here we have it. In 2021, the future Hall of Famer Justin Tucker kicked what would become not only the longest field goal ever made but also the longest game-winning field goal of all time when he successfully attempted a 66-yard field goal with no time on the clock to defeat the Detroit Lions 19-17.
DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?!?!
JUSTIN TUCKER 66-YARD FIELD GOAL FOR THE WIN! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/LyHkSUiwk9
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2021
Tucker will go down as one of the greatest kickers in NFL history, so it is fitting that he has the cherished record. Tucker has been Mr. Automatic for the Ravens throughout his NFL career.
What’s the Longest Field-Goal Attempt in NFL History?
Although Justin Tucker holds the record for the longest field goal in NFL history, there have been attempts longer than that number. If we include attempts that were not successful, the record goes to the Raiders’ Sebastian Janikowski.
In 2008, right before halftime of a battle with the then-San Diego Chargers, Janikowski attempted a whopping 76-yard field goal. Obviously, that came up short, and ultimately, the team went on to lose 28-18.
What Is the Longest Field Goal in Playoff History?
As massive as the moments can be during the regular season, making a field goal in the postseason can be even more excruciating. Although he already holds a place on our list for the longest field goals in the regular season, Gano also has the honor of holding the record for the longest NFL field goal in the playoffs.
In 2017, the same year Gostkowski kicked a 62-yarder, Gano booted a 58-yard field goal right before halftime against the New Orleans Saints.
MORE: Highest/Lowest Scores in NFL History
Of course, the biggest kick that can be made is obviously during the Super Bowl. The record for the longest field goal in Super Bowl history used to belong to Buffalo Bills kicker Steve Christie. Back in Super Bowl XXVIII, Christie, who was known for his ability to kick clutch field goals even in bad weather conditions, drilled a 54-yard field goal.
Christie’s record would then be broken in 2024 during Super Bowl LVIII — twice.
San Francisco 49ers rookie kicker Jake Moody successfully kicked a 55-yard field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs early in the second quarter to break Christie’s record. However, that record was held for just over a quarter. Midway through the third quarter, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker kicked a 57-yard field goal to break Moody’s Super Bowl record.