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Flashback: Antonio Cromartie Sets NFL Record For Longest Play

The last meeting between the Minnesota Vikings and the San Diego Chargers saw two different NFL records set. On of those two records can never be broken, and it belongs to former Chargers (and current New York Jets) cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

The Vikings sent Ryan Longwell onto the field to attempt an ill-advised 58-yard field goal on the last play of the first half. Cromartie went back and stood under the goal posts and waited to see if the kick would come up short. It did, and. . .well, you can see the result.

 

 

Cromartie was just inches from the back line of the end zone when he fielded the ball, and simply outran everything in a purple jersey. He was credited with a 109-yard return for a score. By definition, there can be no longer play in the National Football League, so the record can never be broken. . .you know, unless the NFL decides to make the field longer or something crazy like that.

Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.