New York Jets kicker Jason Sanders drew a fierce wave of criticism online after booting what many fans crowned as the 'worst kick in NFL history' on Sunday
Jason Sanders booted what many deemed the worst kick in NFL history
Jason Sanders booted what many deemed the worst kick in NFL history(Image: CBS)
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Jets kicker Jason Sanders was given the dubious honor of booting the “worst kick in NFL history” during New York’s season opener.
With just under three minutes remaining in the second quarter of the Jets’ 23-10 win over the Tennessee Titans, Sanders trotted onto the field at Nissan Stadium to try a 54-yard field goal. Despite there being nothing wrong with the snap, spot or hold, his attempt sailed wide left while awkwardly fluttering through the air.
The kick was so off target that CBS commentators Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta initially assumed that a Titans defender got a hand on the ball. But the kick was not in fact blocked, with the Jets — who gave a disgraced kicker a lifeline — retaining a 10-3 lead entering halftime.
Taking to social media, droves of viewers ruthlessly slammed Sanders for the missed kick. “This was the worst kick in NFL history,” one X user wrote, with another adding: “That's about as bad a kick as you'll ever see at the pro level. I was sure it was blocked, but it was just a clean shank.”
A third chimed in, “Jason Sanders just can’t be the #Jets’ kicker. He can’t. That was one of the worst misses I've seen from that range, and it’s the same issue we’ve seen all summer. You simply cannot keep leaving points on the field like this.”
Sanders, to his credit, redeemed himself in the second half by nailing two field goals from beyond 50 yards. The 30-year-old additionally connected on a 33-yard field goal with five minutes left in the second quarter, finishing the game 3-for-4 on attempts.
The fact that Sanders even suited up for the Jets on Sunday came as somewhat of a surprise, given that the former Dolphin was released by New York on Aug. 30 before being re-signed to the practice squad.
The Jets proceeded to bring in Sanders’ apparent successor in Blake Grupe, who’s currently on the active roster.
Yet Jets head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed that Sanders would receive the starting nod in Week 1, telling reporters on Thursday, "Jason will kick this week.
"He's had most of the reps. The thing is, Grupe, I want to make sure he gets a solid chance. He just got here last week."
Glenn noted that Grupe hadn’t taken many reps with long snapper Thomas Hennessy or punter Austin McNamara, who serves as the Jets’ holder on field goal attempts.
Jason Sanders went 3-for-4 on field goal attempts against the Titans
Sanders went 3-for-4 on field goal attempts against the Titans(Image: Getty Images)
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"I want to make sure I give him the proper chance for the competition," Glenn said of Grupe. "I want to let this thing play out, but Jason will be kicking this week."
When asked what he’d like to see from both Sanders and Grupe, Jets special teams coordinator Chris Banjo replied: "Confidence and consistency.
"Obviously, they're in a competition, but just the consistency aspect in everything that we're asking them to do."