During a recent practice at the 2017 Pro Bowl in Orlando, Florida, Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker converted on an astonishing field goal attempt of 75 yards. To put it in perspective, if he were to make the kick during an actual NFL game, he would have broken the all-time record by a total of 11 yards.
From 75 in sunny Orlando! Shoutout to #RavensFlock!! pic.twitter.com/QYaxVw7FML
— Justin Tucker (@jtuck9) January 25, 2017
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Tucker made it look incredibly easy too. It really just seemed like another day at the office for the Ravens kicker, who just completed his fifth season the league.
But it really should come as no surprise to anyone who watched Tucker in 2016. During this most recent season, the kicker made 38 of his 39 field goal attempts, including all 10 of his attempts of 50 yards or more.
After he was signed as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Texas in 2012, he has turned into one of the most reliable kickers the NFL has ever seen.
In just five years, he is already the league’s all-time leader in career field goal percentage (89.8 percent). Of course, it does help that he has only been kicking in the NFL for a short amount of time, considering that most remain in the league for around 10 years, but it is still quite the accomplishment.
In addition to his league records, Tucker is also holds the Baltimore franchise records for field goals and points in a single-season (38, 141), field goals in a single-game (six), and longest made field goal (61 yards).
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His efforts have not gone unnoticed either. Before the start of the 2016 season, the Ravens signed their kicker to a four-year contract extension worth $16.8 million. He is scheduled to make more than $4 million per season over the next three years and that is not a bad gig for a guy who gets paid to kick the ball four or five times per game.
If Tucker ends up capturing the NFL record for the longest made field goal within his next few seasons in the league, it should surprise absolutely no one. Actually most people would likely be surprised if he does not end up breaking the record before his career comes to a close.
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