Fall had arrived in Abilene, Texas, enveloping the town in overcast skies and a refreshing 58-degree air, reminiscent of a peppermint. On that fateful day, Ove Johansson stood before a challenge that would etch his name in the annals of college football history. With a 17-mile-per-hour wind and a 12-mile-per-hour tailwind, Johansson faced a daunting 69 yards between himself and greatness.

In a game against East Texas State, Johansson unleashed a mighty kick, sending the ball sailing through the uprights. It was a moment of triumph, as he shattered the record for the longest field goal in college football history. The date was October 16, 1976, and Shotwell Stadium at Abilene Christian University was filled with a raucous crowd of students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni. The atmosphere was electric, with another record waiting to be broken on that memorable homecoming weekend.

Wilbert Montgomery, a fellow Mississippi native, was on the brink of surpassing Walter Payton’s career collegiate touchdown record of 63. Unbeknownst to the spectators, Johansson and Montgomery had made a pact to set records that day. Johansson’s pregame warmup kicks, successful from 70 yards, hinted at the tremendous feat that was about to take place.

“The leg was working,” Johansson recalled in an interview with NCAA.com in 2019.

Prior to the game, news spread that Tony Franklin of Texas A&M had kicked a 65-yard field goal (and later a 64-yarder) against Baylor, claiming the title of longest field goal in college football history. This development fueled Johansson’s determination even further. He seized the opportunity to make history and etch his name in the record books.

“It was exciting to get on that field knowing if I make this field goal then I will do something that no one has ever done in the sport,” Johansson reflected.

As if the gods of kicking had descended upon Abilene from their previous stop in College Station, Johansson’s right foot connected with the ball, sending it soaring 69 yards. According to officials, the kick would have been good from an astonishing 75 yards. Some dismissed the achievement as a fluke, attributing it to mystical forces or fortuitous wind patterns. Even the officiating crew, tasked with retrieving the ball, couldn’t help but display a touch of annoyance.

“One of the refs got kind of upset because he had to walk all the way down there,” Johansson chuckled in his distinctive Swedish-Texan accent.

Although uncertain of his success beforehand, Johansson knew deep down that he had the ability. The moment his foot made contact with the ball, the resounding sound echoed through the stadium like a shotgun blast. It was a surreal experience for everyone present, and the laughter that had permeated the field just moments before ceased abruptly.

Here is the footage of that historic kick: Sports News.

Ron Hadfield, the former editor of Abilene’s student newspaper, The Optimist, and current editor of the school’s alumni magazine, vividly recalls covering the game from the sidelines. People questioned head coach Wally Bullington’s decision to attempt a field goal from that point on the field. Bullington’s response was simple: “Well, we needed three points.”

Johansson’s journey to this pivotal moment was an unconventional one. Growing up in Sweden, he dedicated most of his life to soccer. In 1972, his passion for the sport led him to Irving, Texas, where he played for a European team. Fate intervened when he caught sight of a girl in the stands during a game. Armed with only 24 English words, he mustered the courage to ask for her phone number during halftime. This daring move led to a five to six-month relationship, during which he received a life-altering phone call.

While playing against a team in Colorado Springs, Johansson’s soccer skills caught the attention of Davis and Elkins College’s soccer coach, who offered him a scholarship. He seized the opportunity and made his way to West Virginia, where he became an All-American.

However, his love for soccer could not compare to the love he had found in Texas. April, the woman he had met at the soccer game, was enrolled at Abilene Christian University. In order to be with her, Johansson had to make a difficult choice. The university didn’t have a men’s soccer team, so he decided to try out for the football team. Despite facing two established kickers, Johansson’s natural talent shone through.

“I said, ‘This little baby’s going to fly,’ and I kicked off, and it went through the uprights and over the chain length fence of the athletic dorm,” Johansson recounted.

Coach Bullington’s response was unequivocal: “Ove, you just made the team.”

After the season, Johansson’s skills attracted attention, and he was selected in the 12th round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. At 28 years and 281 days old, he became the oldest player ever drafted in NFL history and the first Swedish-born player to enter the league. Over the course of three years, he played for three different teams, showcasing his talent on the football field.

Today, Johansson spends his Saturdays immersed in soccer. As the sun rises at 6 a.m., he gazes at the 110-yard field on his television screen, reflecting on the 1958 FIFA World Cup that he had hoped to attend in his hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden. Now, through the magic of televised Premier League matches, he lives vicariously, captivated by the sport he once adored.

On the football field, Johansson continues to mentor and guide local high school kickers, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience. He remains happily married to April, the woman who captured his heart all those years ago. The sacrifices he made for love have led to countless personal and professional victories.

To this day, Johansson is asked to share his story and relive the miraculous events of that unforgettable day in 1976. It serves as a testament to the power of determination, the pursuit of one’s passions, and the extraordinary achievements that can result.