Jake Bates is doing everything right with the Detroit Lions. He’s the kind of kicker every team dreams of having, and recently, during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium, he had the audacity to set a franchise record for the most points scored in a single season.
According to Lions’ stats, the previous franchise record for most points in a single season was set by Jason Hanson in 2012 with 134 points. Jake Bates has now surpassed that milestone with 135 points, edging Hanson by just one point. Bates achieved the record thanks to two field goals and two extra points in the Lions’ 40-34 victory over the 49ers.
Not everything was perfect for Jake Bates in the game against the 49ers. He missed two extra points, although his mistakes weren’t as costly as Jake Moody’s. Moody had to deliver a painful message about his performance—one that could jeopardize his future in San Francisco.
Bates, still relatively inexperienced compared to other NFL kickers, has steadily earned the trust of Dan Campbell and his teammates. Additionally, he’s likely to secure a raise next season, surpassing his current $1.9 million salary.
The Jake Bates Meme Moment at Levi’s Stadium
Beyond his solid performance against San Francisco, Bates became the subject of jokes and memes when he was spotted doing an unusual stretch on the Levi’s Stadium field. The moment caught fans’ attention and sparked plenty of humorous reactions online.
A Dream Season for Bates With the Lions
Through 17 weeks, Bates has put together an impressive campaign. He’s scored 135 points and ranks second in the league for extra point attempts (59) and makes (58). Bates is also among the top performers in categories like kickoffs (second with 97) and kickoff yards (second with 6,206).
