Seventy-one years ago today, on September 27, 1953, Bert Rechichar of the Baltimore Colts set the NFL record for longest field goal with a 56-yard kick against the Chicago Bears. Rechichar’s record stood until Tom Dempsey broke it with a 63-yarder in 1970. Remarkably, Rechichar’s kick was his first-ever field goal attempt in the NFL. He also returned an interception for a touchdown in the same game, and the Colts beat the Bears, 13-7.
Rechichar was a defensive back and kicker for ten seasons in the NFL and AFL: 1952 with the Cleveland Browns, 1953 to 1959 with the Colts, 1960 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and 1961 with the New York Titans. He made the Pro Bowl in 1955, 1956, and 1957, and he played on the Colts’ NFL Championship teams of 1958 and 1959.
Today’s card of the day is Rechichar’s 1954 Bowman football card. He appears on numerous other cards in the Gallery, as well.
