How Chargers' Cameron Dicker's 57-yard free kick stacks up with other sports rarities

Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker reached rare air in the Week 16 edition of "Thursday Night Football."

As the second quarter wound down, the Denver Broncos were flagged for interference on a fair catch, resulting in a 15-yard advance for the Chargers. This unexpected call gave Los Angeles a unique choice: attempt a Hail Mary, take a knee or try a free kick -- a seldom-seen play that allows a field goal attempt from the spot of a fair catch.

With the penalty moving the ball into Dicker's range, the Chargers opted for the rare opportunity. Dicker rose to the occasion, drilling a 57-yard free kick as time expired in the half, cutting the deficit to 21-13. This kick wasn't just clutch, it was historic, as it marked the NFL's first successful free kick since Ray Wersching's 45-yarder for the Chargers in 1976, according to Quirky Research.

It was also Dicker's 16th career field goal of 50 or more yards, breaking John Carney's record for the most such kicks in franchise history. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the last fair catch kick attempt occurred in 2019, when Joey Slye's 60-yard effort fell short.

For Dicker, however, the stars aligned perfectly, and got us thinking. What other achievements in sports are just as rare and hard to come by?

NBA

Average a triple-double for entire season

In 2016-17, Russell Westbrook averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists to become the second player to average a triple-double for a season. Westbrook has done it in four different seasons.

Averaging a triple-double for a season has happened only five times in NBA history. Oscar Robertson averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game in 1962.

Baseball

Batting Triple Crown

The Triple Crown has been accomplished in Major League Baseball just 16 times, most recently by Miguel Cabrera in 2012. Cabrera led the league in batting average (.330), home runs (44) and runs batted in (139), becoming the first player since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 to join the elusive club. Rogers Hornsby (1922, 1925) and Ted Williams (1942, 1947) are the only players to accomplish the feat twice.

Pitching Triple Crown

The pitching Triple Crown isn't as rare as the batting version, but it's still not a common achievement. Forty pitchers have led their respective league in wins, strikeouts and earned run average in an MLB season, most recently Tarik Skubal and Chris Sale in 2024.

Immaculate inning