The Chargers ended an otherwise disastrous first half against the Denver Broncos with a rare fair catch kick from Cameron Dicker that cut the Chargers deficit to 21-13 entering the locker room.
Chargers punt returner Derius Davis was tripped up on a fair catch attempt as time expired for the second quarter. The first half was extended for one untimed down with the Chargers getting the ball at the Denver 47-yard line. The Chargers, who turned the ball over on a Justin Herbert interception on their previous offensive drive, initially ran the offense onto the field to possibly throw a Hail Mary.
But after deliberation, Dicker ran on.
Teams are allowed to kick immediately after a fair catch, but the obscure rule is almost never used. The last NFL player to connect on such a kick was the Chargers’ Ray Wersching on Nov. 21, 1976. They made a kick from 45 yards on the final play of the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills.
Dicker lined up behind punter JK Scott, who held the ball in a formation that looked similar to kickoff. Teammates were lined up out wide along the line of scrimmage. Dicker’s kick sailed through the uprights for a 57-yard field goal.
The last time a fair catch kick was attempted was 2019 when Joey Slye missed from 60 yards.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
