At just 22 years old, Cam Little has already achieved something many NFL players can only dream of: his jersey is displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

The Jacksonville Jaguars kicker earned his place in history during week nine of the 2025 NFL season, when he drilled an astonishing 68-yard field goal against the Las Vegas Raiders. The kick broke the long-standing NFL record for the longest field goal in league history, surpassing the previous mark of 66 yards set by Justin Tucker in 2021.

It was a defining moment not just for Little, but for the NFL itself. Yet remarkably, this historic achievement almost never happened — because Cam Little never planned to play American football at all.

From Soccer Pitch to NFL History

“I had no plans on playing football. I was a soccer player through and through,” Little told BBC Sport.

Like many elite kickers, Little’s football journey began with soccer. Growing up, he had no understanding of American football rules, techniques, or even equipment.

“I didn’t even know how to put pads on,” he recalled. “I didn’t know what the rules of football were. I went out there and first practice I had, I just punted. I didn’t even kick.”

At his high school, the kicker role was often filled by a soccer player asked to attend minimal practices. Little was invited to give it a try by a friend — a decision that would unknowingly set him on a path to NFL stardom.

A Career Nearly Ended Before It Began

Little initially played junior varsity football as a punter before being promoted to varsity. But his first real game experience nearly ended his football career on the spot.

“They snap it over my head and I get smacked,” Little explained. “Two days after that, I was like, ‘I’m good. I’m done with football.’”

He told his father and coach he wanted to quit and return full-time to soccer. But both urged him to reconsider.

“My dad was like, ‘I think you could really develop a knack for this,’” said Little. His coach agreed, insisting quitting so early would be a mistake.

That encouragement proved pivotal.

Learning From the Best and Reaching the NFL

Little committed to football and spent the next season studying the techniques of elite NFL kickers — including Justin Tucker, the very player whose record he would later break.

He went on to play college football at Arkansas, where his powerful leg and consistency caught the attention of NFL scouts. In 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.

The transition to the professional level was swift. By his second NFL season, Little was not just reliable — he was historic.

Two Longest Field Goals in NFL History

The record-breaking 68-yard kick was not a one-off.

In the final week of the 2025 regular season, Little added another milestone, converting a 67-yard field goal, making him the owner of the two longest field goals in NFL history.

Few players in league history have redefined expectations at their position so quickly.

“Going from someone that didn’t even think he was going to play professional sports to breaking a record I never thought would be broken — that’s mental,” Little said.

Despite the accolades, Little remains grounded.

“I like to live in humility. This is a really cool thing, but it makes me hungry. I want to break every record this franchise has. I want to break every record the NFL has.”

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Turnaround Under New Leadership

Little’s individual success has mirrored a dramatic turnaround for the Jaguars.

After winning just four games the previous season, Jacksonville appointed Liam Coen as head coach and former franchise icon Tony Boselli as executive vice-president of football operations ahead of the 2025 campaign.

The results were immediate. The Jaguars won 13 games, secured the AFC South title, and entered the play-offs on an eight-game winning streak, defeating the Tennessee Titans 41–7 in the final regular-season game.

“One thing coach Coen has harped on is going 1–0 every week,” Little explained. “When the front office, coaching staff and team leaders are aligned, that forms success.”

Eyes on the Play-offs

Jacksonville now face the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card round, with kick-off scheduled for Sunday at 18:00 GMT.

For Little, it represents yet another first.

“This is the first time in my career that I’ve played post-season football that matters — where you win or go home,” he said. “It’s a special environment, and I’m excited to see the city of Jacksonville embrace it.”

From an accidental tryout to the NFL record books, Cam Little’s story is a powerful reminder that some of the greatest sporting journeys begin when plans change.