The San Francisco 49ers attempted a rare free kick field goal against the St. Louis Rams on Thursday night
Kicker Phil Dawson--whose longest field goal made is 59 yards--attempted the kick from about 71 yards out with four seconds left, missing wide.
The Rams then took possession of the ball and tried to run it back.
“After a fair catch, an NFL team has the right to take a free kick from the line of scrimmage on the next play. If the kick goes through the uprights, the kicking team scores 3 points. It is also known as a ‘free kick field goal,’” the rule for the free kick reads.
It is also called a “fair catch free kick.” Buccaneers.com offers a lengthy explanation of the rule.
Color commentator Mike Mayock noted that “even the players don’t know the rules.”
Only 21 free kicks have been attempted in NFL history and only three were attempted since 1990, said SB Nation.
On Twitter, users were perplexed.
“I feel like I know most of the rules in the MLB and NBA but what the hell was that in that Rams vs. 49ers game!? A free kick rule??” wrote one.
“Probably the first and last time I'll see a free kick #NFL,” wrote another.
Here is a recent example of a free kick:
