49ers’ David Akers ties NFL field-goal record with 63-yard kick

David Akers of the San Francisco 49ers became the second player in as many years to tie the NFL record for the length of a field goal when he made one from 63 yards just before halftime against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon.

Akers drilled a line drive just over the Packers line that carried to the goal posts, clipping the crossbar as it tumbled through.

Sebastian Janikowski of the Oakland Raiders kicked a 63-yarder against the Broncos last September in Denver.

Tom Dempsey of the New Orleans Saints set the record in 1970 in a game against the Detroit Lions. His kick with two seconds left gave the Saints a 19-17 victory.

The record was first tied by Jason Elam of the Broncos in a 1998 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Denver.

There have been only nine field goals of 60 yards or more in NFL history.

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