Please give me the following details regarding both the longest punt
and the longest completed pass in NFL history. Regarding the pass
statistic I am only interested in the distance the pass was in the
air, not total yards gained. What I want to know is the following:
1)date of record 2) team 3) name of passer/punter 4) Yards of
Punt/pass

Hello.

Longest punt: 98 yards
Sept. 21, 1969
Steve O'Neal  - New York Jets (vs Denver Broncos) - 98 yards
source: Pro Football Hall of Fame
http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=1873
Additional sources:
Longest punts, NFL:
98 yards Steve O'Neal, New York Jets v. Denver Broncos, 9/21/1969
http://www.mindspring.com/~luckyshow/field%20goals%20of%2060%20yards%20or%20more.htm


The second statistic is much more obscure, as virtually all "longest
pass" records include yards gained after the catch.

The longest "in the air" pass statistic doesn't appear to be listed on
any the NFL record sites on web.

However, an internet user indicates that an NFL record book lists the
longest pass in the air (NOT including the run after the catch) was 83
yards thrown by Don Meredith to Bob Hays (Dallas Cowboys).

see:
"How far was the longest pass in the NFL (not counting the run), and
who threw and caught it?
...
User comments
* Kennys: The statistic is in the NFL record book. The longest pass in
the air was 83 yards thrown by Don Meridith to Bob Hays"
http://www.answerbag.com/c_view.php/1619?#q_1367

The date of this pass was probably November 13, 1966, when Meredith
threw to Hayes for "95 yards" (this is the conventional statistic
including yards gained after the catch).

See this listing of the Cowboys' longest plays:

"95 - Don Meredith to Bob Hayes @ Washington, Nov. 13, 1966 (TD)."
http://texnews.com/cowboys/longestplays.html

Note, however, that it's possible, though less likely, that Meredith's
record-setting 83-yard bomb was part of his "86-yard" completion to
Hayes on December 24, 1967.
"86 yards - Don Meredith to Bob Hayes vs. Cleveland (TD) ... ... ...
December 24, 1967
http://texnews.com/cowboys/longplayoffs.html

----------
search strategy:
"longest punt in nfl"
"longest pass in the air"

I hope this helps.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by kitlandis-ga on 18 Dec 2005 21:37 PST

Regarding the punt, I was curious about the  maximum disance the ball
was in the air,  not the distance it went after rolling. Can you
clarify this, please?

---

Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 18 Dec 2005 23:08 PST

Hi,
I'm very sorry, but I'd be very surprised if the statistic that you're
talking about has ever been definitely compiled.

Your original question indicated that you were interested the "in the
air" distance for the pass statistic.  The question didn't mention
that you had a similar requirement with respect to the punt statistic.

You wrote: "Regarding the pass statistic I am only interested in the
distance the pass was in the air, not total yards gained."

If you had stated, "Regarding BOTH statistics, I am only interested in
the distance in the air," then I would not have answered.

Once again, I'm very sorry.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by kitlandis-ga on 21 Dec 2005 19:15 PST

No problem about the misunderstanding, it was clearly my fault for not
being specific enough. Thanks anyway.