What is the Rarest Play in the NFL? Uncovering the most elusive football feats. From the historic fair catch kick to the statistically improbable one-point safety, this article explores what defines a rare play and examines the factors influencing their occurrence.
The NFL is a game of strategy, skill, and, often, unpredictability. While many plays have become commonplace, some remain incredibly rare. But what truly defines a “rare” play? Let’s dive in.
1. What Makes The NFL Great Is it’s Unpredictability – KSL Sports
“Football is a game of inches, but sometimes it’s the rarest of plays that define a game.”
Understanding Rarity in Football
To pinpoint the rarest play in the NFL, we must first clarify what we mean by “rare.” Is it simply a play that happens infrequently? Or is it something more unique and extraordinary?
Frequency vs. Uniqueness
A play executed once a season is undoubtedly infrequent. However, if it’s a standard punt return or field goal attempt, it doesn’t necessarily qualify as rare. On the other hand, a successful onside kick in the fourth quarter with the game on the line, while less frequent, is undeniably unique.
Contenders for the Rarest Play
With that in mind, let’s explore some of the strongest contenders for the title of the rarest play in the NFL.
The Fair Catch Kick: A Relic of the Past
Perhaps the most iconic candidate for the rarest play is the fair catch kick.
“A successful onside kick is a high-wire act, a moment where the outcome hangs in the balance.”
How Does a Fair Catch Kick Happen?
After a fair catch is signaled, the kicking team has the option to attempt a field goal from the spot of the catch. If successful, it’s worth three points.
Why is the Fair Catch Kick So Rare?
Several factors contribute to its rarity. Firstly, most fair catches occur deep in the opponent’s territory, making a field goal attempt impractical. Secondly, the risk-reward ratio is unfavorable; a missed kick gives the opposing team excellent field position. Lastly, the play is simply outdated, with teams opting for more conventional strategies.
“The fair catch kick is a ghost from the past, a relic of a bygone era.”
List of known fair catch kick attempts in regular and post-season games
| Date | Kicker | Kicking Team | Opponent | Yards | Result | Game Time | Note(s) |
| November 6, 1921 | Curly Lambeau | Green Bay Packers | Evansville Crimson Giants | 35 | Good | 2nd Quarter | Made after a “sky high” punt that went only about 25 yards. |
| November 8, 1925 | George Abramson | Green Bay Packers | Chicago Cardinals | 35 | Missed | 4th quarter | Game played in snow on a muddy field. |
| November 26, 1933 | Ken Strong | New York Giants | Green Bay Packers | 30 | Good | 3rd quarter | |
| October 23, 1955 | Ben Agajanian | New York Giants | Pittsburgh Steelers | 56 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:30) | |
| November 2, 1958 | Gordy Soltau | San Francisco 49ers | Detroit Lions | 61 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:15) | |
| September 13, 1964 | Sam Baker | Philadelphia Eagles | New York Giants | 47 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:00) | |
| September 13, 1964 | Paul Hornung | Green Bay Packers | Chicago Bears | 52 | Good | 2nd quarter (0:00) | Longest recorded successful fair catch kick in NFL. |
| December 4, 1966 | Fred Cox | Minnesota Vikings | Atlanta Falcons | 40 | Good | 2nd quarter (0:00) | |
| November 23, 1967 | Bruce Gossett | Los Angeles Rams | Detroit Lions | 55 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:03) | |
| November 3, 1968 | Mac Percival | Chicago Bears | Green Bay Packers | 43 | Good | 4th quarter (0:20) | Game-winning field goal |
| December 8, 1968 | Fred Cox | Minnesota Vikings | San Francisco 49ers | 47 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:00) | |
| October 5, 1969 | Curt Knight | Washington Redskins | San Francisco 49ers | 56 | Missed | 4th quarter (0:02) | The game finished as a 17–17 tie. |
| November 23, 1969 | Tom Dempsey | New Orleans Saints | San Francisco 49ers | 57 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:00) | |
| December 21, 1969 | Sam Baker | Philadelphia Eagles | San Francisco 49ers | 49 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:00) | |
| November 1, 1970 | Curt Knight | Washington Redskins | Denver Broncos | 49 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:00) | |
| November 8, 1971 | David Ray | Los Angeles Rams | Baltimore Colts | 45 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:00) | |
| November 21, 1976 | Ray Wersching | San Diego Chargers | Buffalo Bills | 45 | Good | 2nd quarter (0:00) | Last known successful fair catch kick in the NFL. |
| November 25, 1979 | Mark Moseley | Washington Redskins | New York Giants | 74 | Missed | 4th quarter | Longest field goal attempt on record until 2008. |
| September 29, 1980 | Fred Steinfort | Denver Broncos | New England Patriots | 73 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:00) | |
| November 18, 1984 | Raul Allegre | Indianapolis Colts | New England Patriots | 61 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:00) | Fair catch was made on a botched squib kick. |
| January 1, 1989 | Mike Cofer | San Francisco 49ers | Minnesota Vikings | 60 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:00) | NFC Divisional Playoff game |
| October 9, 2005 | Rob Bironas | Tennessee Titans | Houston Texans | 58 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:00) | |
| November 23, 2008 | Neil Rackers | Arizona Cardinals | New York Giants | 68 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:05) | |
| December 28, 2008 | Mason Crosby | Green Bay Packers | Detroit Lions | 69 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:00) | Ball was on target but fell just short of the crossbar. |
| September 26, 2013 | Phil Dawson | San Francisco 49ers | St. Louis Rams | 71 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:04) | |
| October 13, 2019 | Joey Slye | Carolina Panthers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 60 | Missed | 2nd quarter (0:01) | Game played in London |
The One-Point Safety: A Statistical Anomaly
Another extremely uncommon play is the one-point safety.
1. Did You Know There’s A One Point Safety In Football? – YouTube
How Does a One-Point Safety Occur?
A one-point safety happens when the offensive team is tackled in their own end zone, resulting in a single point for the defensive team.
Why is the One-Point Safety So Infrequent?
The overwhelming majority of safeties occur in the opponent’s end zone, resulting in two points. The unique circumstances required for a one-point safety, such as a blocked punt or a fumble deep in one’s own territory, make it a statistical outlier.
Other Uncommon Plays
While not as infrequent as the previous two, these plays still stand out due to their rarity and impact:
The Successful Onside Kick:
Executing a successful onside kick requires precision and strategy, making it a high-risk, high-reward play.
The Two-Point Conversion:
Often attempted in close games, the two-point conversion is a strategic decision that can dramatically alter the outcome.
Factors Affecting Play Rarity
Several elements contribute to the rarity of certain plays:
Rule Changes and Innovations:
As the NFL evolves, new rules and strategies can impact the frequency of specific plays.
Coaching Strategies and Play Calling:
Coaches and play-callers influence the playbook, determining which plays are prioritized.
Player Skill and Physical Attributes:
The ability to execute rare plays often depends on the talent and athleticism of the players involved.
3 Rare Plays Executed by Special Teams Sunday in the NFL
| Time of Game | Teams | Player(s) | Play Description | Outcome | Notes |
| 2nd Quarter | Washington vs. Buffalo | Dustin Hopkins | Washington kicker Dustin Hopkins kicked a high, wobbly ball to the Buffalo 20-yard line on a kickoff. No one caught it, and Hopkins recovered his own kick about 40 yards downfield. | Buffalo won 43-21 | Extremely rare play where the kicker recovers his own kickoff nearly 40 yards downfield. |
| 2nd Quarter | Arizona vs. Jacksonville | Matt Prater (Arizona) / Jamal Agnew (Jacksonville) | Matt Prater attempted a 68-yard field goal for Arizona, which fell short. Jamal Agnew of Jacksonville caught the ball 9 yards deep in the end zone and returned it 109 yards for a touchdown. | Jacksonville led 13-7 at that point | Agnew’s return was a “kick six” reminiscent of Auburn’s famous play against Alabama in 2013. |
| Final Play | Baltimore vs. Detroit | Justin Tucker | Justin Tucker attempted a 66-yard field goal for Baltimore on the final play of the game. The ball hit the crossbar and bounced over for a game-winning field goal, setting a new NFL record. | Baltimore won 19-17 | Tucker set an NFL record for the longest field goal at 66 yards, breaking the previous record. |
Conclusion
Determining the absolute rarest play in the NFL is subjective, as rarity can be measured by frequency or uniqueness. Nevertheless, the fair catch kick and the one-point safety stand out as particularly uncommon occurrences. As the game continues to evolve, we may witness the emergence of new and exciting rare plays that will captivate fans for years to come.
FAQs of Rarest Play in the NFL?
What makes a play “rare” in the NFL?
A play is considered rare if it occurs infrequently and is unusual or unexpected. While some plays happen less often than others, true rarity often combines low frequency with a high degree of uniqueness.
What are some of the rarest plays in the NFL?
Two of the most iconic rare plays are the fair catch kick and the one-point safety. While these plays are extremely uncommon, other plays like the successful onside kick and two-point conversion can also be considered rare due to their impact and difficulty.
Why is the fair catch kick so rare?
The fair catch kick is rare due to several factors. It’s often impractical due to field position, the risk-reward ratio is unfavorable, and the play itself is outdated.
Why is the one-point safety so infrequent?
A one-point safety is a statistical anomaly because most safeties occur in the opponent’s end zone, resulting in two points. The specific conditions required for a one-point safety make it highly unusual.
What factors contribute to play rarity?
Several factors influence play rarity, including rule changes, coaching strategies, and player skill. These elements shape the playbook and determine which plays are prioritized.
Can you give examples of rule changes affecting play rarity?
Certainly. The introduction of the forward pass revolutionized the game, making running plays less frequent. More recent rule changes, such as those related to player safety, have also impacted the types of plays seen on the field.
