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The Chargers ended an otherwise disastrous first half against the Denver Broncos with a rare fair catch kick by Cameron Dicker that cut the Chargers’ deficit to 21-13 as they entered the locker room.
Chargers punt returner Derius Davis stumbled on a fair catch attempt as time expired in the second quarter. The first half was extended to a deadlock when the Chargers got the ball at Denver’s 47-yard line. The Chargers, whose previous offensive attack turned the ball over after a Justin Herbert interception, initially let the offense run down the field to potentially throw a Hail Mary.
But after thinking about it, Dicker kept running.
Teams are allowed to kick immediately after a fair catch, but the obscure rule is almost never used. The last NFL player to make such a kick was Ray Wersching of the Chargers on November 21, 1976. They made a 45-yard kick 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 resembled a kickoff. Teammates stood in a wide line 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 in 2019 when Joey Slye missed from 60 yards.
Read more: Chargers vs. Broncos live updates: LA takes lead off Derius Davis TD
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
