Phil C
08-19-2003, 01:45 PM
The record is 69 yards held by Ove Johansson of Abilene Christian University which was kicked on October 16, 1976 against East Texas State University (now Texas A&M at Commerce). Abilene was faced with fourth and ten with 2:13 left in the first half and had the wind to its' back and the ball at its' own 48 yard line. With nothing to lose they let Johansson give it a try. It must be remembered that back then if a field goal missed the other team got the ball at its' 20 and not the line of scrimmage. He made the kick and history was made. The older record set by Tom Dempsey at New Orleans who had kicked a 63 yarder on the last play of the game in 1970 to beat the Detroit Lions. Of interest I said older record because on that same day earlier Tony Franklin of Texas A&M had broken Dempsey's record by kicking a 64 yard field goal against Baylor. In fact later in the game Franklin kicked a 65 yarder but it was too late to be a record since Johannson had already established the record at 69 yards.
For extra interest on October 21, 2001 Johansson set another record for field goal kicking by kicking a 53 yarder during half time of Abilene Christian's game with Tarleton State. This beat out George Blanda's record of 52 yards. This was the longest ever for a player over the age of 48. Today Johansson works in Amarillo as a financial consultant.
There were several others that have passed Tom Dempsey's record of 63 yards but none have passed Johannson. But for the dramatic ending none tops Dempsey's kick and one must remember that he did not have a right hand and only half a right foot(the kicking foot).
Oh and another note of interest especially to Sinton 66 :) is that Ove Johansson is from Sweden and learned his kicking skill while playing soccer. :)
For extra interest on October 21, 2001 Johansson set another record for field goal kicking by kicking a 53 yarder during half time of Abilene Christian's game with Tarleton State. This beat out George Blanda's record of 52 yards. This was the longest ever for a player over the age of 48. Today Johansson works in Amarillo as a financial consultant.
There were several others that have passed Tom Dempsey's record of 63 yards but none have passed Johannson. But for the dramatic ending none tops Dempsey's kick and one must remember that he did not have a right hand and only half a right foot(the kicking foot).
Oh and another note of interest especially to Sinton 66 :) is that Ove Johansson is from Sweden and learned his kicking skill while playing soccer. :)