Who is Jake Bates? All about Michigan Panthers’ 64-yard game-winning field goal kicker

In the first UFL game, Jake Bates became a legend for the Michigan Panthers by scoring the game-winning field goal as their placekicker. His name will forever be remembered in the folklore of the United Football League.

Therefore, it is only appropriate to focus on the ice-cold kicker. This article will analyze Bates’ career thus far and compare his game-winning field goal to the NFL record. Without delay, let’s begin.

What is Jake Bates’ background?

Bates, currently a kicker for the Michigan Panthers in the UFL, has not attempted a competitive football kick since his time in High School, making it an interesting fact.

The Panthers’ kicker for the 2024 UFL season was a former soccer player who had previously served as a kickoff specialist for the college football team. After making a strong impression during training camp, he was chosen to fill the Panthers’ placekicking role.

Jake Bates’ Journey in the World of Football

Jake Bates began his journey in American football as a kickoff specialist for Texas State.

Bates showcased his natural ability as a junior at Texas State, where he transferred to from Central Arkansas, where he began his career as a soccer player. He impressed with an average of 62.8 yards per kickoff, earning him praise for his outstanding performance.

After a year, Bates decided to transfer to Arkansas in search of more challenging competition before the NFL Draft. During his single season at Arkansas, he maintained an average of 64.5 yards per kick. Although he was not selected in the draft, his impressive displays caught the attention of several NFL teams.

In the end, Bates was ultimately let go by the Houston Texans before the 2023 NFL season after being signed to compete with Ka’imi Fairbairn for the starting job, which Fairbairn ended up winning.

The Michigan Panthers of the UFL were impressed with Bates and decided to sign him for the first season. He has since proven his worth by kicking a 64-yard field goal in his first professional game, earning the trust and belief of his team.

Evaluating Jake Bates’ Field Goal Performance in Comparison to NFL Records

Justin Tucker, the superstar kicker for the Baltimore Ravens, currently holds the NFL record for the longest field goal ever made.

Tucker made a 66-yard kick in 2021 against the Detroit Lions, securing a last-second victory for the Baltimore Ravens and earning himself a place in the record books. This impressive feat surpassed the previous record of 64 yards held by Matt Prater since 2013.

Bates’s opening-day field goal would tie him with Broncos’ legend Prater for the second spot on the NFL all-time list. Take a look at the three longest-made field goals in the history of the NFL below: