While fans were expecting a competitive divisional game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football in Week 16, they weren’t expecting a once-in-a-lifetime exchange to take place in the game.
A muffed punt from the Broncos paved the way for Pro Bowl-caliber kicker Cameron Dicker to attempt, and make, the rare free kick (or fair catch kick) from the 59-yard line. To put it into perspective, the NFL hasn’t seen a converted free kick in nearly 50 years. Immediately, the Chargers themselves, and fans alongside, lost their collective minds at the historic interaction.
Fans Go Bonkers Over Cameron Dicker’s Free Kick
A fair catch kick is a rare situation that takes place if the returning team on a punt makes a fair catch. If they complete the catch, they have the option to take a free kick from the spot of the fair catch.
What the free kick allows is a running head-start for the kicker, while also keeping the defense 10 yards away from the kicking spot, giving him a better chance. But where Dicker was concerned, distance wasn’t an issue.
get this man to the pro bowl now#ProBowlVote + cameron dicker#ProBowlVote + cameron dicker#ProBowlVote + cameron dicker#ProBowlVote + cameron dicker pic.twitter.com/4QicStseQU
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 20, 2024
Going 59 yards for the score, the Pro Bowl nominee was able to nail it, making it the longest free kick in NFL history and bringing the score to 21-13; while the Chargers themselves were ecstatic at the moment, fans weren’t far behind.
CAMERON DICKER YOU DOG
— bolted up jeff (@herbohive) December 20, 2024
Some immediately gave credit where it’s due to the kicking specialist, calling him a “dog” for the amazing play. But even more than celebrating for L.A., the biggest share of the blame went to the Denver Broncos and the returner for interfering with the returner.
I have never seen that before. What a strange end to a half. Broncos bloke that ran in to the returner must feel like a right muppet
— Ryan (@ryaaaan1993) December 20, 2024
To put into perspective, how long ago the last converted fair catch kick took place, PFN’s Adam Beasley gave the necessary context. “The last time there was a fair catch kick, the owner of the platform this game is airing on [Amazon] was 12 years old.”
The last time there was a fair catch kick, the owner of the platform this game is airing on was 12 years old
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) December 20, 2024
That kick took place in 1976, when Ray Wersching, coincidentally for the Chargers themselves back when they were based out of San Diego, put up a 45-yard attempt at the end of the first half.
Everyone was understandably shocked at the events taking place, especially given the rarity of the exchange. But the kick did put Los Angeles down just one score heading into the first half. As a result, a strong second half could put them in a strong position to secure a playoff berth.
I’ve never seen a fair catch kick, let alone one go in.What in the world just happened?#Chargers blessed to be only down one score headed into halftime.
— Dan W. (@DanWSports) December 20, 2024
The Wersching game turned out to be a 34-13 dominant victory for the Chargers. The team must certainly be hoping for a similar kind of blowout today as well.