clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

VIDEO: Matt Prater can only be bested by a field goal-kicking robot

Arizona Cardinals v Detroit Lions Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

It has already been seven years since Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater set the NFL record for longest field goal in league history. That 64-yard boot has yet to be bested since that game in Denver.

Last year, Prater entered a friendly competition with Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus to see who could finish the season with the longest field goal made. The winner won free beer for the city.

To his credit, McManus gave Prater a run for his money. The 29-year-old Broncos kicker—seven years younger than his competitor—set a career long with a 58 yarder. However, Prater bested him by a single yard with a 59 yarder against the Washington Football Team... and for the win, no less.

That’s all to say that Prater has faced many a foe, and he has bested every single last one of them. When his playing career comes to an end, Prater has a solid case for the Hall of Fame.

But it turns out there is someone something that can indeed beat Prater in a kicking contest. YouTuber and engineer Mark Rober, who has become known for his creative “glitterbombs” aimed at package thievers, developed a field-goal kicking robot. And earlier this year, he declared a Man vs. Machine contest right inside Ford Field. Matt Prater vs. Robot Ray Finkle.

Here’s what happened:

Pride of Detroit Direct

Sign up now for a 7-day free trial of Pride of Detroit Direct, with exclusive updates from Jeremy Reisman on the ground at Allen Park, instant reactions after each game, and in-depth Lions analysis from film expert Jon Ledyard.