The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Friday that they have received the football from Jake Bates’ 64-yard field goal from week 1. The ball is now on display in the HoF’s Pro Football Today Gallery.
The 64-yard field goal is 2nd only to Justin Tucker’s 66-yard field goal in 2021 which was also made in Ford Field. The only other time a field goal in professional football was made from 64 yards or more was by Matt Prater in 2013.
Despite being an undrafted free agent who did not have a field goal in college, Bates has drawn the attention of many NFL scouts. The 64-yard field goal was made more impressive given the fact he made the try twice as he was iced the first time. Both kicks sailed down the middle with plenty of distance.
Following the game-winning field goal in week 1, the Detroit Lions were among NFL teams to reach out to the Michigan Panthers about him. In week 2 he made a 62-yard field goal and a 52-yard field goal. On Tuesday news broke that NFL teams were allegedly breaking rules to contact the kicker.
There is still a lot of season left in the young kicker’s career which is off to a very intriguing start. He played soccer as a defender at Central Arkansas in 2018-19. He played football for Texas State in 2020 and 2021 before playing for Arkansas in 2022. He did not kick field goals in college but served only as a kickoff specialist.
There is still a lot of football to be played over which time he will be evaluated for his consistency. Regardless of what the future holds for him, he has already put his name in the history books.
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