Baltimore Ravens placekicker Justin Turner holds a special place in the NFL record books with two entries on the list of longest field goals ever. His previous best was 61 yards, which he hit in 2013, but he now owns the top spot after booting a somewhat controversial 66-yarder last weekend against the Detroit Lions.
But look at the list of the longest NFL field goals and one stands out — a 61-yarder that was scored on November 8, 1970. That one, kicked by Tom Dempsey of the New Orleans Saints, broke a record that had stood since 1953. Dempsey’s new record, in turn, stood alone until first being matched in Jason Elam in 1998 and then bested just two times since.
Here is the program from Dempsey’s then-record kick, which took place at old Tulane Stadium:
Dempsey’s kick beat the previous long field goal of 56 yards, set by Bert Rechichar of the Baltimore Colts on September 27, 1953. Notably, it was also his first NFL field goal attempt and during the same game he returned an interception for a touchdown.
Rechichar’s kick beat another long-standing record (54 yards), which was set by Glenn Presnell of the Detroit Lions on October 7, 1934. Here is that program:
