After making headlines for nailing a game-winning 64-yard field goal for the UFL's Michigan Panthers during the season-opener on Saturday, kicker Jake Bates is reportedly drawing interest from multiple NFL teams, including the Detroit Lions.
According to Tony Paul of the Detroit News, the Lions have reached out to the Panthers about their kickoff specialist, who had not made a field goal since high school before his game-winner over the St. Louis Battlehawks in the Panthers' season-opener.
Making the feat — which occurred at Ford Field — even more impressive was the fact that Bates actually hit the lengthy field goal twice, as the Battlehawks had iced him right before his first attempt.
The 64-yarder is the second-longest kick in Ford Field history, falling just short of Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker's 66-yard make.
Bates was a kickoff specialist at both Texas State and Arkansas but didn't attempt a field goal with either program. He's also had brief stints in the NFL with the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jake Bates, a kickoff specialist, hadn't attempted a field goal since high school.
— UFL (@XFL2023) March 30, 2024
He just hit a game-winning 64-YARD field goal for the Panthers...
And he did it twice 🔥🦵 pic.twitter.com/7uL2QGEZoG
The Lions re-signed kicker Michael Badgley this offseason but could definitely use more competition at the position for the veteran, who has already had an unsuccessful stint with Detroit in the past.
