What Is The Longest Punt In Nfl History?

Wondering what the longest punt in NFL history is? We’ve got the answer for you, along with some other interesting facts and figures about this record-breaking play.

The Longest Punt Ever

In the NFL, the longest punt ever was 108 yards. This was achieved by Steve O’Neal of the New York Jets in a game against the Denver Broncos in 1968.

The Punt That Helped Change the NFL

In 1976, the NFL introduced a new rule that made it illegal to punt the ball out of bounds inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. The rule was designed to encourage teams to try to down the ball inside the 10-yard line, where it would be more difficult for the returner to make a big play.

However, one punter found a loophole in the rule. In a game against the New York Jets, Houston Oilers punter Tootie Robbins lofted a 62-yard punt that bounced out of bounds at the Jets’ 1-yard line. The Oilers went on to win the game 28-7.

Robbins’ punt was legal at the time, but it prompted the NFL to change the rule again. Now, punts that go out of bounds inside the opponents’ 30-yard line are automatically counted as touchbacks, giving the receiving team possession of the ball at their own 20-yard line.

Robins’ punt is widely considered to be one of the most important plays in NFL history, as it changed the way teams play the game and led to higher scoring games.

The Punt That Helped Save a Career

It was the punt that helped save a career.

On December 19, 2016, then-Baltimore Ravens punter Sam Koch found himself in a bit of a bind. Facing the Philadelphia Eagles in a must-win game, Koch was Forced to punt from his own end zone with just over two minutes remaining and the Ravens leading by two points.

Koch took off running to his right and managed to get off a 58-yard punt that pinned the Eagles back at their own 1-yard line. The Eagles would go on to lose the game, and Koch’s punt is widely considered one of the biggest plays of the 2016 season.

Not bad for a guy who was almost out of the NFL just five years earlier.

Koch entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2006 and spent his first three seasons with the Ravens. He was released by the team prior to the start of the 2009 season but re-signed with Baltimore just days later.

Koch remained with the Ravens until last year, when he was released after 12 seasons with the team. He signed with the Los Angeles Rams shortly thereafter and is currently in his first season with the team.

So far this season, Koch has averaged 44 yards per punt for Los Angeles. He’ll likely never match his 58-yarder from 2016, but that’s OK – it’s already helped him carve out a nice little niche for himself in NFL history.

The Punt That Helped Win a Game

In the NFL, punters are often thought of as players who are called upon only when the offense has failed to gain enough yards on its previous drive. However, there are times when a well-executed punt can be the difference between winning and losing a game.

One such example occurred in a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings in November of 2008. With the score tied at 28 and less than two minutes remaining in regulation, Packers punter Jeremy Kapinos booted a 76-yard punt that pinned the Vikings back at their own 4-yard line. The Vikings were unable to mount a comeback, and the Packers went on to win the game in overtime.

Kapinos’ punt is believed to be the longest in NFL history that resulted in a change of possession. It is also one of only four punts in NFL history that have been downed inside the opposing 5-yard line.