# UFL gave Jake Bates a chance. Detroit Lions kicker now giving former league free publicity
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As the Panthers’ last drive was set to begin, quarterback E.J. Perry came to the sideline to conference with Nolan, who told him he just needed to just get the ball near midfield. Perry looked at his coach as if he were crazy. Surely, they would have to go a bit farther than that.
“What?” Perry responded.
…
Nolan summoned Bates to try his first field goal since high school, a 64-yarder for the win. His first attempt, which flew between the posts, was nullified by a timeout called right before the snap. The drama crescendoed, and Bates lined up once more. He swung his leg. The ball arched, carrying end over end, flying over the crossbar and into the netting beyond.
“It…is…goooooood!” Fox announcer Kevin Kugler shouted on the telecast. “A star is born in the UFL! Jake … Bates!”
Months later, Kugler’s call from that 18-16 win is now the soundtrack to a Fox promotional spot for the UFL highlighting Bates’ shining moment. Before the ad fades to black, a tongue-in-cheek message flashes.
“Wonder where this guy is now?” it reads.
Just a few months later, on the final day of the NFL regular season, Bates was back at Ford Field.