The Baltimore Ravens have the best kicker in the NFL.
His name is Justin Tucker, and he made headlines in Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions because he made a record-breaking and game-winning 66-yard field goal.
DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?!?!
JUSTIN TUCKER 66-YARD FIELD GOAL FOR THE WIN! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/LyHkSUiwk9
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2021
In many ways, his NFL career has been as improbable as this kick that miraculously hit the crossbar and managed to bounce upward and sail through with ease.
Tucker’s career and ascent in the NFL are rare and likely not duplicated.
Here is what makes him so unique.
4. Undrafted
Can you believe that?
Tucker was an undrafted free agent in 2012 out of the University of Texas.
He landed in Baltimore because of a post-draft tryout.
Justin Tucker doing Justin Tucker things. 🤘@jtuck9
📸: @Ravens pic.twitter.com/wXz7x0ZUmt
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 26, 2021
3. Amazing Longevity
Tucker is in his 10th NFL season.
He has appeared in 147 regular season games and 10 postseason games throughout his career.
Tucker has also been blessed with no significant injuries that limited his playing time or hampered his performance.
2. Unmatched Accuracy
In addition to his longevity, he has a long and storied history of being accurate.
It is extremely rare when Tucker misses.
He has converted 90.6 percent of his attempted field goals.
While the percentage is impressive, the numbers are even more so.
Tucker has only missed 31 field goals in nine full seasons.
He is 298 for 329 lifetime.
Extra points are even more unusual for Tucker to miss.
He has made 98.9 percent of them throughout his career.
Tucker has missed four extra points, making 357 out of 361.
Put Justin Tucker's leg in the Hall of Fame. 🦵 #BALvsDET pic.twitter.com/Qe3dFjAb2X
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2021
1. Clutch
It is pretty obvious that he is the kicker that the remaining 31 NFL teams would like to have on their rosters.
His ability to be steady and focused in the moment is what helps his team succeed.
As people tend to discuss which NFL quarterback they would like in the clutch situation with the game on the line, there tend to be several to choose from.
But when it comes to kickers, there is only one choice.
Tucker is in a league of his own and has proven it by making every single extra point he has ever kicked in the postseason.
That is 27 out of 27.
He has missed four field goals in postseason play but has converted 14.
Those stats cover entire games.
Let’s talk about what he has done in the fourth quarter over his career.
He has made 50 straight field goals in the fourth quarter or in overtime.
29 of the 50 have been from a distance of 40 or more yards.
Tucker has never missed a kick in the final minute of regulation, going 16 for 16.
Justin Tucker is not only the most accurate kicker in NFL history. But he’s the most clutch.
Tucker improved to 16-for-16 in his NFL career on field goals in the final minute of regulation.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 26, 2021
Tucker’s Legacy Is Still Being Written
Let us not forget that Tucker is only 31 years old.
He has a long career ahead of him so it is unknown how many more records he will break.
Tucker is a unique person whose NFL journey has been unbelievable.
Justin Tucker & I were the same class at #Texas
He used to sing Opera in the shower in college & got clowned by everyone. He didn’t care. He was him, hate him or love him. He was always the most confident.
Justin Tucker has never met a Field Goal he didn’t think he could make.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 26, 2021
He always credits his team for putting him in the position to win games.
Tucker is a humble man who is rewriting NFL history one kick at a time.
There will never be another like him.
NEXT: How The Ravens Ruined Patrick Mahomes' 20-0 Goal
