Kansas City Chiefs K Harrison Butker has a big leg, but it could be aided tonight by the thin air in Mexico City.
The elevation at Estadio Azteca is 7,200 feet above sea-level. It doesn’t just have an impact on the passing game, but it also helps out with the kicking game. While many are marveling over Patrick Mahomes’ ability to throw it 75 yards with ease in Mexico City, Butker has done something even more special during pregame warmups.
Ahead of the Week 11 game between the Chiefs and Chargers, Butker trotted out on the field for some practice kicks as usual. He practiced PATs, short field goals, medium field goals and then he just kept backing up. Before you know it, Butker was lining up a kick from 71 yards out. By all accounts, he nailed it. Check it out:
From ESPN's pregame show: Here's video evidence of #Chiefs K Harrison Butker hitting a 71-yard FG during warmups pic.twitter.com/aTQPToYYCO
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) November 19, 2019
The NFL record for field goal distance is 64 yards set by Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater in 2013. The game happened in Denver, which is also known for its elevation advantage.
It’s not likely that Butker will have a chance to defeat the NFL record in this game, but it’s good to know that he has the leg and accuracy to make a long kick if pressed into the situation. That kick would have set a new record and added 7 yards to the longest kick in NFL history had it occurred during the game.