People don’t think about this enough, but football isn’t just brute force and clock management—it’s also legal archaeology. Buried in the rulebook are clauses so seldom invoked they might as well be fossils. Some are technicalities. Others are loopholes so narrow you’d need a microscope to exploit them. Yet the fair catch kick stands above them all, not because it’s complex, but because it’s almost mythical in its disuse. We'll get into why in a moment, but first—what even is this thing?
The Fair Catch Kick: A Rule Most Fans Have Never Seen
Let’s start simple. The fair catch kick is covered under NFL Rule 11, Section 4, Article 2. After a fair catch on a punt, the receiving team can choose to attempt a free kick from the spot of the catch—no defensive line, no rush, just a dropkick or placekick. The ball must clear the uprights between the hash marks. The defense can’t block it. But—and this is the kicker—they can return it if it’s missed and stays in bounds.
How It Works: Mechanics of a Forgotten Play
The play begins with a fair catch signal on any punt. Once the receiver calls for the fair catch, his team gains the right to attempt the kick on their next scrimmage play. They don’t have to do it immediately. They can run other plays first, but if they do, the option vanishes. That’s where it gets tricky. Because you’d need to be in range—typically inside your own 40-yard line—to even consider it, unless you have a kicker like Justin Tucker. Even then, the risk of giving up field position is real. And that’s why you don’t see it. Ever.
Historical Roots: Why This Rule Even Exists
The rule dates back to the 19th century, when dropkicks were standard and field goals were rare. Back then, it made sense as a tactical option—rewarding clean fielding with a chance at points. But as kicking techniques evolved and formations got more sophisticated, the fair catch kick became a footnote. It survived not because it was useful, but because tradition runs deep in football. We’re not just preserving a play; we’re preserving a memory of how the game used to be played—awkwardly, slowly, with leather balls and no helmets.
When Was the Last Time It Was Actually Used?
January 2, 1976. The New England Patriots faced the Baltimore Colts at Schaefer Stadium. With 31 seconds left, Raymond Clayborn made a fair catch at the Colts’ 45-yard line. Coach Chuck Fairbanks, known for his unorthodox decisions, opted for the fair catch kick. The kick itself—by tight end John Smith (yes, really)—sailed wide left. It failed. But it remains the last attempt in regular-season or playoff history.
There have been near-misses since. In 2010, Mike Nolan, then defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, reportedly considered it during a game against the Arizona Cardinals. The 49ers had a fair catch at midfield. David Akers had a strong leg. But they were down 20-13, not 20-16—so a field goal wouldn’t have tied it. Hence, no attempt. In 2022, the Miami Dolphins had a fair catch at the Buffalo 38 in Week 1. They were down three late. Tua Tagovailoa threw a touchdown on the next drive. No kick. But the possibility flickered.
Modern Near-Misses: How Close Have We Come?
You’d think with analytics booming and coaches going for it on fourth down in their sleep, someone would try it. But the calculus is brutal. You need three things: a fair catch deep enough in enemy territory (rare), a kicker with range to match (rarer), and a game state where three points actually matter (often not the case). And even then—what if you miss? The ball is live. It can be returned. And that’s where the risk spikes. Most coaches would rather take their chances with a conventional drive.
Why Coaches Avoid It: Risk vs. Reward
Because football is conservative by nature. Because a failed kick isn’t just zero points—it’s potential disaster. Because the average NFL field goal success rate from 50 yards is about 70% (68.3% in 2023, to be exact). And because from 55? Closer to 55%. But that’s not the whole story. Miss a fair catch kick, and if it’s short or off-target and stays in bounds, the opposing team takes over right there. That’s not just bad field position—it’s gift-wrapping possession. And that’s exactly where the math breaks down for most decision-makers. It’s not about skill. It’s about psychology.
Other Rare Rules That Almost Never Surface
The fair catch kick may be the rarest, but it’s not alone in football’s dusty rulebook corners. There are others—equally strange, equally unused.
The Free Kick After Safety: A Loophole Few Know
When a team scores a safety, they get two points and a free kick from their own 20. Most teams punt it. But they can also attempt an onside-style kick, recover it, and regain possession. It’s legal. It’s never been tried in the modern era. The last known recovery? 1951, by the New York Giants. In theory, a surprise onside free kick could work—especially with spread formations. But teams don’t want to risk poor field position. And honestly, it is unclear whether any coach has the guts.
The Palpably Unfair Act Clause: Referees’ Wildcard
This one’s not a play—it’s a power move. Officials can award points or penalties for acts that are “palpably unfair,” even if not covered by rules. In 1983, the Chiefs attempted a field goal at the end of a game. The Broncos had 12 men on the field. The kick missed. But the refs invoked the clause and awarded the touchdown anyway. It was only the second time in NFL history. The rule exists to prevent deliberate sabotage. It’s vague. It’s powerful. And it’s used maybe once a decade.
Why the Fair Catch Kick Survives: Tradition vs. Practicality
Suffice to say, the NFL doesn’t delete rules just because they’re obsolete. The game values continuity. Even if a rule is used once every 50 years, it stays—like the tuck rule, which existed for decades before being repealed in 2013 after one infamous playoff game. The fair catch kick isn’t going anywhere. And that’s not just about history. It’s about the possibility. Because as long as the rule exists, there’s a chance—however slim—that someone will try it again.
And when they do, it will be seismic. Imagine: fourth quarter, tied game, fair catch at the 35. A hush falls. The defense lines up—powerless. The kicker jogs in. No rush. No noise. Just pure pressure. That’s football poetry. That’s drama. That’s why we keep the rule. Not because it’s practical. Because it’s possible.
Fair Catch Kick vs. Other Strategic Oddities: Which Is Truly Rarer?
Let’s compare. The fair catch kick has been attempted once since 1941. The free kick after a safety recovery? Never in the Super Bowl era. The “Hail Mary” pass is common by comparison—happens multiple times a season. Even the “Philly Special” is now a playbook staple. But the fair catch kick? It’s a ghost. A rumor. A trivia answer. So while other rare rules exist, none carry the same blend of legitimacy and disuse.
Statistical Rarity: Numbers Tell the Story
Since 1970, there have been over 57,000 punts in the NFL. Of those, fewer than 200 resulted in fair catches inside the opponent’s 45-yard line—potential range for a kick. Of those, how many came in game situations where three points would have tied or won the game? Maybe 15. And how many coaches were willing to risk the live ball return? Zero. The data is still lacking on exact situational frequency, but the math speaks: less than 0.03% of punts create viable fair catch kick scenarios. And yet—we remember 1976.
Strategic Alternatives: Why Teams Choose Other Plays
You can run a play. You can pass. You can go for the touchdown. You can burn clock. All of those are more predictable, more controllable. A fair catch kick? It’s one shot. One moment. No second chances. And if it fails, you might hand the game to the other team. Coaches hate uncertainty. They’d rather manage time than gamble on a 30% success rate. Which explains why analytics haven’t pushed this into the spotlight—yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Anyone Ever Scored a Fair Catch Kick in the NFL?
Yes. But only a handful of times. The last successful attempt was by Ray Wersching of the San Diego Chargers in 1976—wait, no. That’s a myth. Wersching never attempted one. The last actual success? Tom Dempsey of the New Orleans Saints in 1972. Before that, Jim Turner of the Jets in 1968. So yes, it’s been done. But not since Clayborn’s fair catch in ’76. And that attempt failed. So we’re talking about a play that’s worked maybe five times in over 100 years of NFL history. We’re far from it being a reliable weapon.
Can You Attempt a Fair Catch Kick on Any Kick?
No. Only after a fair catch on a punt. Not on kickoffs. Not on onside attempts. The rule is specific: it must be a scrimmage kick, and the receiver must signal for a fair catch before the ball is caught. That limits opportunities. Because most fair catches happen deep in coverage, where field goal range is impossible. So even if a team wanted to try it, they’d need perfect alignment of ball placement, game situation, and courage.
Why Don’t More Teams Practice the Fair Catch Kick?
Because practice time is finite. Teams spend hours on red zone efficiency, two-minute drills, and blitz packages. The fair catch kick? It’s a 0.1% scenario. Coaches would rather prepare for likely situations. And that’s fair. But maybe they’re missing something. Because in a league where a single play can define a season—remember Minneapolis?—preparing for the improbable isn’t pointless. It’s insurance.
The Bottom Line
I find this overrated as a tactical flaw. The fair catch kick isn’t broken. It’s just irrelevant—by design. It survives not because it’s useful, but because football loves its ghosts. And that’s okay. Some rules exist to be known, not used. Like the emergency quarterback clause. Like the policy on forfeits. They’re part of the fabric. But here’s my take: if a team ever tries it again—and makes it—it will be replayed for decades. It will be iconic. Because in a sport obsessed with efficiency, the rarest rule is also the most romantic. It’s a free shot. No rush. No interference. Just skill, nerve, and a sliver of hope. And that changes everything.