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Lions Fan-Favorite Drills 70-Yard Practice Kick

UFL sensation goes viral for 70-yard field goal.

John Maakaron

Former Houston Texans place kicker Jake Bates (49)
Former Houston Texans place kicker Jake Bates (49) / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
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Detroit Lions fans have been following the success of Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates all season.

For the former NFL kicker, being a part of the Michigan Panthers this season has exposed his talents to a much larger audience.

Bates has made waves all throughout the 2024 UFL season due to his ability to make long-distance field goals at Ford Field, the home that the Panthers share with the Lions.

Recently, the Panthers released a video of the talented kicker making a 70-yarder in practice. This again caught the attention of NFL fans clamoring for the Lions to make sure not to miss out on signing such a popular kicker.

"You have to approach every kick as the same kick, and if you put more emphasis on one kick than the other, that's going to hinder how you kick each kick," Bates said during a postgame press conference earlier this season. "I want to make every kick I go out there for, it doesn't change whether the scenario is whatever it is.

"I want to make every time I'm on the field. And so, I mean, pressure is kind of what you make it to be, I think. That's my job to do, is go out there and make kicks, and I'm trying to do that to the best of my ability."

Additional reading

1.) Ranking Detroit Lions 2024 Second-Year Players

2.) Lions Fans React to Disrespectful Jared Goff PFF Ranking

3.) 9 Lions Players to Watch During OTAs

4.) Could Lions Extend Aidan Hutchinson Before 2025 Season?

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!

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