what is the longest punt in nfl history
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The longest punt in NFL history is 98 yards, kicked by rookie punter Steve O’Neal (Source) of the New York Jets. (Source), (Source), (Source)
O’Neal (Source) accomplished this historic feat on September 21, 1969, during an American Football League (AFL) game against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium. Because the ball was snapped from the Jets’ own 1-yard line, the punt traveled practically the entire length of the gridiron, bouncing over the returner’s head and finally stopping just short of the Broncos’ goal line. (Source)
Top 5 Longest Punts in NFL History
Rank Player Distance Team Year
1 Steve O’Neal (Source) 98 yards New York Jets 1969
2 Shawn McCarthy (Source) 93 yards New England Patriots 1991
3 Randall Cunningham (Source) 91 yards Philadelphia Eagles 1989
4 (tie) Don Chandler (Source) 90 yards Green Bay Packers 1965
4 (tie) Rodney Williams (Source) 90 yards New York Giants 2001
You can watch the original broadcast footage of O’Neal’s legendary 98-yard blast here:
(Note: The third-longest punt by Randall Cunningham (Source) is particularly famous because he was the Eagles’ starting quarterback, not a designated punter, and launched the 91-yard rocket from his own end zone on a surprise quick-kick). (Source)