United Football League star and Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates has become a household name in league circles this year for nailing incredibly long field goals that us mere mortals could only hope to hit.
Six of Bates' 15 makes this season have come from 50-plus yards, and three of those successful attempts have been from 60 or more yards, including a 64-yarder at Ford Field that was the second-longest field goal in the venue's history.
But Bates surpassed that ridiculously long distance in practice recently, when the Arkansas product drilled a 70-yard field goal through the uprights, which only enhances his already sterling legend.
When we said @jakebates30 makes 70 yarders in practice… we meant it 😮💨🔥🙌 pic.twitter.com/XhVCfeMuGe
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 22, 2024
Of course, you can say that it's just practice and that kind of distance is a lot easier to achieve in that situation, but you can bring that somewhere else. This is a pro Jake Bates page and there is nothing you can do to bring him down here.
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Bates is already drawing interest from NFL teams, but they're going to have to wait to get a crack at him, as he can't talk to or sign with a team until after the UFL season is over.
The Detroit Lions are reportedly one of the teams, and there are no shortage of fans who want to see Bates stay in the state and added to a kicker competition that currently features Michael Badgley and UDFA James Turner.
