Allen Park — Jake Bates blasted a 64-yard field goal from Ford Field over the weekend to give the Michigan Panthers a win in their UFL debut, so the Detroit Lions are naturally interested in testing out the hot kicker.
Bates’ narrative is long and winding. That potentially career-changing clutch field goal in the United Football League was his first since high school in Tomball, Texas. During the 2023 preseason, he made two extra points on three tries for the Houston Texans. However, Bates did not have any field goals in college, instead handling kickoffs for Texas State and Arkansas on a regular basis. He also played two seasons of soccer at Central Arkansas, so it’s been a fascinating journey to this point
It’s not surprising that the Lions and NFL are interested in Bates. He made that kick from inside an NFL stadium twice, with the first 64-yard attempt invalidated by the St. Louis Battlehawks’ late timeout.
He’s a proven kickoff specialist, and if he can make 64-yard kicks under pressure, he may have something untapped in that boot. The Lions have also tested the waters with long-ball kickers, with John Parker Romo receiving a look and impressing in last year’s offseason program.
