Obscure rule leads to Chargers making NFL's first fair-catch kick since 1976 - ESPN

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made the longest fair catch free kick attempt ever recorded in NFL history Thursday night, as he made the 53-yard attempt and made the score 21-13 Broncos going into the half. The previous long was 52 yards by Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers in 1962.

It had appeared the Chargers would go into halftime down 11 points after Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw an interception late in the first half. But a quick three and out by the Denver Broncos offense and a fair catch interference penalty by Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith gave the Chargers an untimed down to end the second half.

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh chose to take a fair catch free kick, a rarely used strategy that allows teams to attempt a kick — without the opponent attempting to block it — from exactly where a fair catch called or has been awarded a fair catch as the result of a penalty. Typically, teams' signal for fair catches well out of field goal range so the strategy is not commonplace.

There have been 26 fair catch free kicks recorded, with the last attempt being by Carolina kicker Joey Slye slyest in a 2019 game against the Buccaneers. Slye missed the 60-yard attempt.

The last player to make a fair catch free kick was Ray Wersching of the San Diego Chargers in 1976. Broncos coach Sean Payton said on the television broadcast that they prepare for these scenarios.