The UFL’s Inaugural Season Kicks Off with a Bang Thanks to One Incredible Play
The United Football League’s first season started off with a bang on Saturday, and it wasn’t a touchdown or a big hit that stole the show. It was a 64-yard field goal by Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates that left fans in awe and secured a thrilling 18-16 win over the St. Louis Battlehawks.
Bates, a former soccer player turned kickoff specialist, hadn’t attempted a field goal since high school. But with just three seconds left on the clock and his team down by one, he stepped up and drilled the kick with ease, making it one of the most improbable field goals in football history.
The drama leading up to Bates’ game-winning kick was just as intense. After the Battlehawks scored a touchdown with only 49 seconds left, the Panthers had one last chance to make a comeback. Quarterback E.J. Perry struggled to move the ball down the field, but a key kickoff return by Marcus Simms set them up for the final play.
Instead of going for a Hail Mary, coach Mike Nolan made the bold decision to send Bates out for the field goal attempt. And it paid off, not just once, but twice. The first kick was good, but a timeout by the Battlehawks negated it. Undeterred, Bates lined up and made the kick again, securing the win for his team.
What makes this feat even more impressive is that Bates’ kick came from a distance that even NFL kickers struggle with. In fact, only two field goals of 64 yards or more have ever been made in the entire history of the NFL. And in a strange coincidence, one of those kicks was made by Justin Tucker at the same stadium where Bates made his kick.
But for Bates, this moment will always be his. As the UFL’s inaugural season continues, it’s safe to say that his record-breaking kick will be remembered for years to come. And who knows, maybe we’ll see more incredible plays like this as the league grows and evolves.
