Record-breaker: Longest Field Goal Kicker Reveal
The longest field goal in football history, in the NFL, was kicked by Cam Little of the Jacksonville Jaguars: a 68-yard field goal against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 2, 2025.
What the record means
That kick is now the standard answer to "who kicked the longest field goal in football," if you mean professional American football. It surpassed the previous NFL mark of 66 yards, which had been held by Justin Tucker for years. The record came in a real game, under pressure, and it immediately reset how far teams think they can reasonably attempt a field goal.
For context, the NFL has only seen a small number of successful kicks from the 60-plus-yard range. The modern kicking game has improved dramatically, but even now, a kick beyond 60 yards remains rare and exceptional.
Record holders by level
- NFL overall record: Cam Little, 68 yards, November 2, 2025.
- Previous NFL record: Justin Tucker, 66 yards, September 26, 2021.
- NFL outdoor record: Cam Little, 67 yards, January 4, 2026.
- College football record: Ove Johansson, 69 yards, October 16, 1976.
- Historic benchmark: Tom Dempsey's 63-yard kick stood for 43 years before being broken.
Longest kicks in the NFL
| Rank | Player | Distance | Team | Date | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cam Little | 68 yards | Jacksonville Jaguars | November 2, 2025 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 2 | Justin Tucker | 66 yards | Baltimore Ravens | September 26, 2021 | Detroit Lions |
| 3 | Matt Prater | 64 yards | Denver Broncos | December 8, 2013 | Tennessee Titans |
| 4 | Tom Dempsey | 63 yards | New Orleans Saints | November 8, 1970 | Detroit Lions |
Why the kick mattered
The 68-yard field goal was more than a novelty. It became the new NFL record and showed how much range elite kickers now have, especially in controlled stadium conditions and with modern training techniques. It also highlighted how a single kick can alter the historical hierarchy of the sport.
"That's the kind of kick that changes the conversation for everyone in the building."
While that quote is a stylized summary rather than a direct broadcast transcript, it captures the impact of the moment: coaches now have to think differently about end-of-half situations, fourth-down decisions, and "safe" field goal ranges.
How rare 60-yard kicks are
Field goals from 60 yards or more remain uncommon because distance is only one part of the challenge. Hold placement, snap timing, weather, turf, wind, altitude, and game pressure all affect success. In practical terms, the difference between a make and a miss can be inches of trajectory and a fraction of a second in timing.
That is why the longest field goal record draws so much attention. It is one of the few football records that is both easy to understand and extraordinarily hard to beat.
College football note
If the question is interpreted more broadly as "football" rather than NFL specifically, the long-standing college football record belongs to Ove Johansson. He hit a 69-yard field goal for Abilene Christian in 1976, a mark that has remained the standard in major college football discussions for decades.
That distinction matters because "football" can mean different things depending on the audience. In the United States, most people asking about the longest field goal usually mean American football and, more specifically, the NFL.
Timeline of the record
- 1970: Tom Dempsey hits a 63-yard field goal for New Orleans.
- 2013: Matt Prater breaks the modern NFL record with a 64-yarder.
- 2021: Justin Tucker sets the NFL mark at 66 yards.
- 2025: Cam Little pushes the record to 68 yards.
Why experts care
The kicking record is a useful snapshot of how the sport evolves. Better athlete development, improved football design, more precise coaching, and indoor or sheltered conditions all help kickers push the boundary. At the same time, records like this remain fragile because they depend on a perfect combination of human skill and game context.
Statistically, kicks beyond 60 yards are still a tiny slice of all field goal attempts, which is why each new record tends to become a major sports headline. For fans, it is a reminder that special teams can still produce one of the most dramatic plays in football.
Bottom line in practice
The direct answer is simple: Cam Little kicked the longest field goal in NFL history, and that is the most relevant answer for most people asking the question. If the scope expands to college football, Ove Johansson owns the longest widely recognized kick at 69 yards. In either case, the record sits at the edge of what looks physically possible in the sport.
Expert answers to Record Breaker Longest Field Goal Kicker Reveal queries
Who kicked the longest field goal in football?
Cam Little holds the NFL record with a 68-yard field goal for the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 2, 2025. If you mean college football, Ove Johansson's 69-yard kick in 1976 remains the longest widely recognized mark.
What is the longest field goal in NFL history?
The longest field goal in NFL history is Cam Little's 68-yarder. It broke Justin Tucker's previous record of 66 yards.
Who had the longest field goal before Cam Little?
Before Cam Little, Justin Tucker held the NFL record with a 66-yard field goal. Tucker's kick became one of the most famous in league history because it came with the game on the line.
What is the longest field goal in college football?
The longest field goal in major college football history is Ove Johansson's 69-yard kick for Abilene Christian in 1976. That record has stood for decades.
Why are long field goals so rare?
Long field goals are rare because success depends on perfect timing, strong leg power, clean operation, weather, and ball flight. As the distance grows, the margin for error shrinks quickly.