A professional kicker made a 64-yard field goal inside Ford Field on Saturday. No, he doesn’t play for the Detroit Lions.
But that could be changing…
Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates boomed a 64-yarder game-winner home in the team’s victory over the St. Louis Battlehawks in the opening weekend of UFL competition.
64 YARDS FOR THE WIN 😱
JAKE BATES WITH A BOOT FOR @USFLPANTHERS pic.twitter.com/nx25x1PEIK
— UFL (@XFL2023) March 30, 2024
It’s an incredible way to kick off the new season of the UFL, which was created when the XFL and USFL merged. What’s even more incredible is that it’s the first field goal attempt for Bates since high school. He was a kickoff specialist at Arkansas and Texas State before winning the job with the Panthers. He started his college career as a soccer player at Central Arkansas.
The Lions, who have been looking for some permanence at kicker, have indeed reached out to inquire about Bates, per Tony Paul of the Detroit News.
Yes, the Lions have already inquired, I am told. https://t.co/JWKN3DH6yo
— Tony Paul | Detroit News (@TonyPaul1984) March 31, 2024
Bates is not draft-eligible, but his good fortune kicking in Detroit makes for a worthwhile inquiry by the Lions.